BELGRADE, Jan 24 — A massive fire in a shopping mall prompted authorities in the Serbian capital of Belgrade to send three helicopters today to douse the flames, although there were no injuries.

Parts of the city were wreathed in acrid smoke from the fire that engulfed a portion of the TC Block 70 shopping mall, popular for its inexpensive shops and fast food outlets, as 76 firefighters and 25 fire vehicles fought to put out the blaze.

"We saved a number of shops ... it was a challenge to prevent people from entering to save their property,” emergency official Ivica Causic told reporters.

Firefighters warned people to keep away from the vicinity, while police said they were investigating the cause. — Reuters