A devastating fire has ravaged a homeless guesthouse in southern Brazil, claiming the lives of at least 10 individuals. The tragic incident occurred early on Friday in Porto Alegre, with 13 people reportedly hospitalized, some in critical condition.
Approximately 30 residents were believed to be present in the guesthouse at the time of the blaze, the cause of which remains unknown.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences to the families of the victims on social media, highlighting the vulnerable circumstances of those housed in the facility. Porto Alegre’s Mayor Sebastião Melo announced three days of official mourning in response to the tragedy.
Firefighters responded swiftly to the three-story building at 02:00 local time (05:00 GMT), managing to bring the flames under control within two hours.
Questions regarding the legality of the shelter’s operation have emerged, with conflicting reports about its permit status. Nonetheless, this incident echoes a similar tragedy that occurred in the state 11 years prior, when a nightclub fire in Santa Maria resulted in over 240 fatalities and hundreds injured.