Officials: Large fire scorches Peru's capital, killing none

LIMA, Peru – Officials in Peru say a massive fire has destroyed several buildings near the center of the capital city, but killed nobody.

Police Chief Mario Arata said Saturday that it could take a month to clean up the warehouses and shops charred by the fire that started Friday afternoon in downtown Lima.

The fire sent columns of smoke and glowing orange flames into the night sky. Its cause remains under investigation.

Officials say hundreds of firefighters battled the flames to keep it from spreading further.

Peru's President Martín Vizcarra says the Holy Week holiday is likely to thank for the absence of injuries and deaths.

He says the thousands of people who normally work and shop in the burned area were out of town celebrating.