BAKU 

At least 15 people died and 63 were injured in a fire in a 16-storey apartment building in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku on Tuesday, the health ministry said.

The fire took hold in the exterior cladding and, fanned by high winds, spread through the building. Firefighters have the blaze partially under control.

A large number of fire engines, a helicopter and dozens of ambulances were dispatched to the scene.

Interior Minister Ramil Usubov, Chief Prosecutor Zakir Garalov and Deputy Emergencies Minister Etibar Mirzeyev were at the site of the fire. Garalov told reporters that at least one child had died due to smoke inhalation.