A fire incident on Wednesday at a factory in Rio de Janeiro, known for producing costumes for the city’s famous Carnival, has resulted in 10 individuals being hospitalized, according to the state’s health department. This unfortunate event has overshadowed the preparations for one of the world’s largest celebrations.
Emergency services quickly transported the victims to local hospitals for treatment of airway burns caused by inhaling toxic smoke. Among the hospitalized individuals, eight are reported to be in serious condition while two others are stable, as stated by health officials.
Wesley da Cruz, a 27-year-old worker at the carnival factory, recounted the chaos, saying, “There were over 20 people inside. The fire broke out while we were asleep.” Charles Ferreira, a nearby resident, also described the scene as he heard screams for help and immediately went to assist. “I jumped on my motorbike, went to alert the firefighters, and they dispatched a truck and an ambulance,” Ferreira shared.
Approximately 90 firefighters responded to combat the blaze, successfully rescuing 21 individuals, as reported by Rio’s military fire department. They bravely saved those trapped on the upper floor by cutting through steel windows and aiding their escape with a ladder. Video footage shows rescuers helping individuals down as thick black smoke poured from the building.
In light of the fire’s destruction, the state’s civil defense has fully cordoned off the factory and an additional structure due to concerns regarding potential collapse, as highlighted by Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes on social media.
The Maximus factory, which was engulfed in flames, is vital for many samba schools in lower divisions, including Imperio Serrano, which is among those directly impacted. The samba school took to Instagram to express their priority of ensuring safety for all affected and mentioned that they would provide updates regarding the extent of the damages in due course.
The days leading up to the Carnival are often chaotic, with workers striving to complete final tasks after months of preparation before the parades kick off. Liga RJ, an organization representing samba schools, mentioned the serious implications of the incident on Carnival planning and the overall production process, stating that an extraordinary general assembly would be convened to assess the situation.
Additionally, Rio’s Labor Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an investigation into the factory’s working conditions. Reports have surfaced indicating that workers, including minors, have been sleeping on-site and that there are signs of exploitative labor practices.
This incident echoes a similar fire in 2011, which caused substantial damage to warehouses in central Rio where the city’s top twelve samba schools were preparing for Carnival—resulting in the destruction of months’ worth of hard work.
