Fire slows rescue effort at collapsed Florida building

Search and rescue workers look for survivors at the site of the collapsed apartment block in Miami (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/AP)

Fire and smoke from within the concrete and metal remains of a collapsed 12-story apartment block near Miami hampered rescue efforts on Saturday as emergency workers searched for survivors in the mountain of rubble.

Rescuers used infrared technology, water and foam to battle the blaze, the source of which was unclear. Miami-Dade mayor Daniella Levine Cava said the smoke had been the biggest challenge, saying the fire was “very deep” and that rescuers faced “incredible difficulties” due to the flames.