Fire hits residential building in Manaus — Photo: Reproduction/Social Networks
The Amazonas Public Defender's Office (DPE-AM) took legal action to guarantee housing assistance to 16 families affected by the fire that hit a block of Residencial Viver Melhor III, in the North Zone of Manaus. The agency also requested a complete technical assessment of the building's structure before residents can return to their apartments.
The fire happened on August 9, in block 5 of the residential complex, in the Monte das Oliveiras neighborhood. The fire started in an apartment on the ground floor and also affected the neighboring property. A dog died during the fire and residents reported that a baby was rescued through a window.
According to the Public Defender's Office, almost a month after the fire, some of the families have not yet received help to leave the area. Of the 16 families affected, five have already received some type of support, while the rest are awaiting emergency measures.
In the action, the Public Defender's Office asked the State, Manaus City Hall and the Municipal Institute of Urban Planning (Implurb) to present, within 72 hours, a technical report on the block's security conditions.
The assessment must include the structure of the building, electrical installations and fire prevention and fighting systems.
The body also asked the State and Municipality to guarantee emergency housing assistance to the 16 families and maintain the benefit for residents who have already started receiving it.
Building structure still a concern
Reports from the State Civil Defense and Manaus Civil Defense highlighted problems in the structure of the affected block. These include cracks, crumbling and surface deterioration of the concrete slab.
The two bodies recommended a complete structural assessment, carried out by a qualified professional, especially on slabs, beams and pillars that may have been affected by the heat of the flames.
Therefore, according to the Public Defender's Office, it is not yet possible to definitively allow residents to return to their apartments.
"The situation of the families is dramatic, because almost a month has passed since the fire occurred and no effective answer about the future has been given to them. The big question is whether this building will remain standing. The reports from the Civil Defense of the State and the Municipality also point to this same doubt. That is what we are demanding with this judicial measure", stated public defender Carlos Almeida, head of the Public Defender's Office Specialized in Collective Interests (DPEIC).
Agreement attempts
Residents contacted the Public Defender's Office shortly after the fire. On August 12th, a team from the institution was at the residence accompanied by an Engineering professional.
During the inspection, it was found that the fire had reached the building's power box, located on the ground floor, which could pose a risk of new fires.
After that, the Defender's Office brought together municipal and state bodies responsible for housing, social assistance and Civil Defense, in addition to the concessionaires Âmbar Energia Amazonas S.A. and Águas de Manaus.
The meeting discussed measures to assist families, necessary repairs to the building and possible responsibilities for the problems.
The bodies involved had until August 21 to present solutions. According to the Defender's Office, the deadline ended without the measures considered necessary being adopted. Therefore, the case was taken to court.
Fire
The fire happened on the afternoon of August 9, in an apartment on the ground floor of block 5 of Viver Melhor III, on Rua das Cachoeiras, in the Monte das Oliveiras neighborhood.
According to residents, the property where the fire started operated as an electronics workshop and had wood and flammable liquids. The owner reported that he was not home at the time of the fire and did not want to speak to the reporter.
Residents helped evacuate people from the apartments. Some were removed through the windows with the help of external ladders.
According to the Amazonas Military Fire Department (CBMAM), 24 soldiers and eight vehicles were mobilized to fight the fire. Around 12 thousand liters of water were used in the incident.
A dog that was in the property where the fire started died.
Baby was rescued through the window
Baby is removed through the window during a fire in a building in the North Zone of Manaus. — Photo: Photo: Personal Archive
A baby, approximately two months old, was taken out of the window by residents during the fire.
According to witnesses, the child's mother cut her feet while escaping. The baby was initially taken to a nearby house and then sent by the Mobile Emergency Care Service (Samu).
Two other children who were on the fourth floor were also rescued by the Fire Department.
At the time, the State Department of Health of Amazonas (SES-AM) reported that 18 people were admitted to state health units after the fire. All received treatment and were discharged on the same day of the accident.
The causes of the fire are being investigated.
