Massive downtown Mexico City fire nearly under control

Smoke from a fire rises out of a shoe warehouse near the zocalo in Mexico City, Mexico November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -A large fire in the center of Mexico City sent a giant black plume of smoke into the sky on Thursday afternoon, with authorities confirming the blaze was 90% under control by late evening.

Flames had been visible from several km (miles) away hours after the pillar of smoke began rising.