Aerial footage shows a massive column of smoke, as a fire engulfed a shopping centre in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The blaze spread across 18,000 square metres and destroyed more than 200 stores, local media reported, citing fire brigade’s estimates.

The smoke rose more than 150 metres high, and part of the shopping centre’s roof collapsed, according to local media.

Firefighters were able to completely extinguish the flames 15 hours after the blaze started.

According to the fire department, there have been no reported fatalities, and the cause of the fire is stil being investigated.