A fire hit a 1922 building located at Rua Pinto Bandeira, in the historic center of Porto Alegre, on the morning of Wednesday (25). The property houses a hotel on the upper floors and, on the ground floor, a fabric store that has been operating for almost 30 years. According to the Fire Department, the fire began around 8:50 am and mobilized two trucks to fight the flames.
The wooden structure on the third floor contributed to the rapid propagation of fire. According to reports from traders in the region, the fire would have started at the hotel, which had about 60% occupancy at the moment. The guests were evacuated in time and no one was injured. Neighbors and shopkeepers tried to contain the flames with extinguishers before the firefighters arrived, but to no avail.
The aftermath was finalized late in the morning, and the Civil Defense should assess whether the building may be occupied again. Part of the ceiling collapsed because of the intense heat. The initial suspicion, according to the hotel owner, is that a short circuit may have caused the fire, but only expertise may confirm the origin of the fire.
Rua Pinto Bandeira was prohibited during the occurrence, but has already been released for circulation. The store owner on the ground floor, Maritza, said she noticed the smoke shortly after opening the establishment and triggered the firefighters immediately. The building, located in an area of large circulation of people, had all floors affected by the flames.
