A devastating fire broke out at Maximus Confecções, a pivotal costume factory for Rio de Janeiro's Carnival, on the morning of October 12, leading to injuries and significant losses for several samba schools.
According to multiple reports, the fire erupted shortly after 7:30 AM at the factory located on Rua Roberto Silva, Ramos, in the city's North Zone. Firefighters received the emergency call at 7:39 AM, and immediately dispatched more than 30 fire trucks and approximately 90 personnel to combat the raging flames.
By the time firefighting efforts commenced, many of the factory's employees were still inside. Reports indicate around 100 workers were present at the time, with at least 30 of them sleeping at the facility due to the factory's 24-hour operations, which ramped up as the Carnival approached. Tragically, 21 people were hospitalized following the incident, with at least 12 suffering serious injuries, especially from smoke inhalation.
Firefighters managed to rescue 17 individuals who were trapped inside the burning building. Witnesses described harrowing scenes of escape, with some jumping from windows and others relying on ladders for evacuation. One survivor recounted, "I don’t know how many people are okay or hurt. There were elderly and teenagers inside," highlighting the urgent and chaotic circumstances.
The cause of the inferno remains unknown, but initial evaluations suggest it began on the ground floor before rapidly spreading throughout the facility. It was reported by the local fire department and confirmed by officials from the state government, indicating the complexity of the operation due to the building’s location and structural features, which hindered rescue efforts.
This incident has sent shockwaves through the samba community, especially for schools like Império Serrano and Unidos da Ponte. Império Serrano released a statement lamenting the loss, stating, "The Império Serrano deeply regrets the fire at Maximus Confecções. We inform everyone involved, all our production for the 2025 Carnival was inside the factory." The school emphasized its prioritization of safety for all workers amid the crisis.
Unidos da Ponte echoed similar sentiments, stating their entire collection of costumes for the upcoming Carnival was also stored within the factory walls. Their message on social media reflected the collective concern for the well-being of those affected and the logistical nightmare they now face.
Porto da Pedra, another affected group, voiced worries over their production timelines and emphasized the need for urgent response mechanisms to safeguard employees. President Fabricio Montibelo stressed the importance of physical safety amid the destruction, stating, "Our primary concern is with the integrity of the dozens of collaborators who work on this spectacle. That is what drives us right now.”
While the firefighting efforts successfully contained the flames, concerns persist about the ramifications of this disaster on both the workers and the samba schools reliant on Maximus Confecções for costumes. Given the timing, this incident will undoubtedly affect the preparations for Carnival.
The Liga RJ, which oversees the presence and scheduling of samba schools, expressed grave concern over the incident. Their statement included intentions for immediate meetings with leaders of impacted schools to evaluate the situation and explore potential solutions to keep performances viable.
Authorities are now awaiting the results of investigations to ascertain the exact cause of the fire and implement necessary safety measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring again. Community members and families of the affected workers are also hoping for swift medical care and thorough assessments of injuries.
With Carnival set to commence on February 28 and March 1, the pressure is on teams to regroup and strategize for replacements amid the aftermath of this disaster, marking yet another emotional chapter for the Carnival community of Rio de Janeiro.