Joelma Fire - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Posted by: 
saopaulo1
S 23° 32.963 W 046° 38.442
23K E 332531 N 7394703
High rise Sao Paulo fire. One of the biggest in the country.
Waymark Code: WM1R3R
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Date Posted: 06/28/2007
Views: 306
The Joelma fire occurred in the Joelma building, a 25 story building situated in downtown São Paulo, at 225 Avenue Nine of July. It is one of the most notable tragedies to have occurred in Brazil.
On the morning of February 1, 1974, during business hours, a short-circuit in an air-conditioner on the 12th floor ignited the fire. Almost all of the building was occupied by a single banking company, Banco Crefisul S/A. The large amounts of paper, plastics, electrical equipment and wooden walls and furniture contributed to the fire spreading rapidly. Most of the people attempted to escape upwards, due to the stairs being filled with smoke, in the hope of being rescued by helicopter, but Joelma did not have a heliport. Despite the bravery of the fire fighters, 18 people jumped to their deaths to escape from the fire or in failed attempts to reach to out-of-reach fire ladders. At the end the death toll reached 188. (source: Wikipedia)
Type of Structure: Private Building
Other: .
Fire Date: 02/01/1974
Structure status: Still standing building
Cause of Fire:
electrical short circuit
Documentation of the fire: [Web Link]
Construction Date: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Give a narrative of your experience. Did you learn anything after reading about the fire in the waymark? Photos are always welcome too. Please no virtual visits.