Residential building collapses near Naples, several feared trapped (PHOTOS)

A four-story residential building has collapsed in Torre Annunziata, a town at the foot of Mount Vesuvius near Naples, Italy. At least five people are feared to be trapped under the rubble.

Conflicting media reports say that it was a five-story building, according to AP.

Up to eight people from two families are missing, local firefighters tweeted.

The residential building collapsed around 6:00am local time. The cause of the collapse is still unknown. Teams of firefighters are searching the rubble for the missing.

Pictures posted by local firefighters on Twitter show a ruined building with collapsed walls and roof.

There was no explosion before the incident, according to witness accounts, AP reports citing ANSA news agency. A train passed near the site just before the collapse, witnesses added.