Peru shopping mall blaze kills hundreds

LIMA, Peru (CNN) -- At least 287 people were killed and 180 injured when fireworks exploded in a street-market store, setting off a blaze that swept through four blocks of apartments and stores, officials said Sunday.

President Alejandro Toledo declared Sunday and Monday national days of mourning and banned the sale of fireworks.

Witnesses said people jumped from windows in century-old buildings as the fire burned. Officials said many of the buildings had poor emergency exits and fire security.

The shopping complex had been filled Saturday night with shoppers buying fireworks for upcoming New Year's celebrations.

VIDEO Correspondent Claudia Cisneros reports on a fireworks explosion that set off a blaze killing hundreds in a Lima, Peru shopping area (December 30) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

About 450 firefighters had to push through crowded streets to battle the fire, which blazed for more than four hours before it was brought under control shortly before midnight Saturday. Low water pressure hampered efforts to fight the fire.

Forensic officials set the latest count of dead and injured during a broadcast news conference Sunday morning.

One hospital treated at least 80 victims.

The fire broke out in two commercial buildings around 7:30 p.m. EST Saturday. Witnesses told officials a merchant was trying out new fireworks just before the blaze began.

Pope prays for Lima blaze victims

The mall had been packed with shoppers when the fire broke out

Pope John Paul II expressed regret at the devastating loss, the Vatican said on Sunday, Reuters reports.

"His holiness John Paul II, deeply pained to learn the terrible news about the many people who died in a giant fire in Lima's historic center, prays for the eternal rest of those fallen," the Vatican's Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano said in a statement released by Lima's archbishopric.

-- Journalist Claudia Cisneros contributed to this report.