A major fire hit the central region of São Paulo on the night of last Sunday (10) and the Fire Department took about 70 hours to contain the flames. In total, nine buildings were closed by the city hall because of the risk of falling. There is no record of fatalities.
The authorities reported that the fire started at number 95, Rua Barão de Duprat, in the Sé neighborhood, and that the building did not have the Fire Department Inspection Certificate (AVCB).
In total, 20 firefighters will remain at the scene on Wednesday night (13), to monitor the possible return of fire outbreaks. Engineers from the city hall and Civil Defense teams are expected to visit the region on Thursday (14) to assess the damage.
The mayor of São Paulo, Ricardo Nunes (MDB), told CNN , this Wednesday (13), that the city hall must request the demolition of the building. The fire, which occurred in the commercial area of 25 de Março, caused the destruction of more than 100 stores.
Remember other major fires in downtown São Paulo
Andraus Building (1972)
The fire in the building Andraus , on São João Avenue, caused 17 deaths and injured more than 300 people. An electrical system overload would have caused the fire. The building had opened ten years earlier. The flames engulfed five neighboring buildings.
Helicopters had to be used to rescue the victims, who were sheltering on the roof of the building.
After undergoing a major renovation, Andraus was reopened and continues to operate today.
Joelma Building (1974)
The most tragic of the fires in buildings in the capital of São Paulo was that of the Joelma Building, on February 1, 1974.
At the time, authorities said the fire started after a short circuit in the air conditioning system on the 12th floor. About 300 people were injured and approximately 190 died – there is no consensus on the exact numbers.
Before long, the fire had engulfed the entire building. Firefighters were unable to save people on higher floors, which triggered dramatic scenes of people throwing themselves down. As with Andraus, helicopters were also used in the rescue work.
With 25 floors and located on Avenida Nove de Julho, Joelma also underwent a major renovation and still works today. However, the building is now called Praça da Bandeira Building.
Wilton Paes de Almeida
Located in Largo do Paissandu, the Wilton Paes de Almeida Building collapsed after a major fire in the early hours of May 1, 2018. A neighboring building also caught fire on the first three floors, but did not collapse.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church, which was next to Wilton Paes de Almeida, also caught fire and part of the structure collapsed.
Seven people died and two were injured in the accident. The place was abandoned and was occupied by homeless people. According to estimates, around 150 people lived there.
See photos of the fires that occurred in downtown São Paulo:
Source: CNN Brasil
