Three Firefighters Killed by Smoke Inhalation Extinguishing Fire in Downtown Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Fire Department was called at 11:25 AM and sent eight trucks to Rua Buenos Aires 44, in downtown Rio de Janeiro. The building has four floors, starting at Rua Buenos Aires and extending through to Rua da Alfândega.

Fire Department Commander Col. Roberto Robadey confirmed that three firefighters were killed (one sergeant and two corporals) and three were injured: one is in critical condition and two other are stable. They are hospitalized at the Center’s Fire Department Headquarters.

As a result of the fire outbreak, the surrounding buildings had to be evacuated. A Crea-RJ (Regional Council of Engineering and Agronomy) attendant, Júlio Medeiros was rushed out of the building with his colleagues.

At the site, known as a “men’s spa,” all employees and people near the building were safely evacuated. According to the schedule published by Quatro por Quatro on its website, the Whiskeria was not open to the public at the time of the fire.

In the late afternoon, Robadey spoke to the press and claimed that smoke inhalation was the cause of death of the firemen. Once again, he said he was surprised by the tragedy:

“There was no collapse or explosion. I walked through the whole area and there wasn’t any. The Rio Fire Department has the best equipment in the world. It was smoke inhalation, and we don’t know why. They were wearing masks. All the equipment is up to date,” he said.

The first information states that one of the possibilities under study is that the fire started in the kitchen on the third floor. On the first floor, there is a great amount of water and the smell of burning remains strong.

The corridors are narrow, creating the sensation of a labyrinth. The stairs also have a narrow width, hindering evacuation in an emergency. The walls have a structure similar to that of acoustic insulation.

“We had to drop everything. Some colleagues heard two explosions coming from the building next door. It sounded like a transformer,” said the official.

The traditional Whiskeria Quatro por Quatro was inaugurated in 1995. The adult entertainment house was immortalized in Mr. Catra’s funk “Adultério,” a parody of the song “Tédio,” by the Biquini Cavadão band.

The Rio de Janeiro State Military Fire Department (CBMERJ), through its press office, has so far confirmed three military personnel killed “during the fight against a fire on Rua Buenos Aires, 44, in downtown Rio de Janeiro”.

The corporation’s note continues: “Another firefighter was sent to a hospital. The corporation will open an inquiry to investigate the causes of the incident. Teams of social workers are already in contact with the victims’ families. CBMERJ is dismayed by the news and sympathizes with relatives, friends, and colleagues in uniform”.