A fire, now under control, hit the Cinemateca Brasileira [Brazil's national film institute] warehouse this Thursday (29) in the city of São Paulo. According to the Fire Department, there are no victims.
The fire started during the maintenance of an air conditioner in a room on the property's first floor. An adjoining room and a third room dedicated to printed archives were also affected.
According to firefighters, the fire encompassed 400 square meters and Civil Defense said the flames reached about six meters in height.
The building is not the headquarters of the Cinemateca, but it houses an integral part of its collection, such as 35 mm and 16 mm films, made of highly flammable material.
The federal government fired the employees about a year ago, so no technicians have been working there for some time.
An inquiry conducted by the Federal Police will determine the exact causes of the fire. It is not yet known who will assess the damage suffered.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon