5 killed in Peru shopping centre fire ahead of Asia summit

LIMA, Peru – Officials say five people have died and seven people are missing as the result of a fire at a shopping mall next to the hotel that will host world leaders at this week’s Asian-Pacific economic summit.

Lima’s police chief says investigators are trying to determine the cause of Wednesday’s blaze at a movie theatre where a screening for journalists of the film “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” was taking place.

A large black mushroom cloud rose above the seaside Larcomar shopping centre while people struggling to breathe were helped into ambulances. Witnesses said they had to break down blocked emergency exits to escape.

The shopping centre is across the street from the high-rise JW Marriot hotel where many of the foreign leaders attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit will stay. U.S. President Barack Obama is among the leaders scheduled to take part in the summit beginning Friday.