On the evening of Tuesday, April 15, 2025, a large fire broke out at the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUC-PR) in Curitiba, causing significant panic and disruption. The blaze originated in the Teatro TUCA, located in the university's Blue Block, during a ceremony where medical students were receiving their lab coats. Fortunately, all attendees managed to evacuate safely, and no injuries were reported.
According to the Fire Department, at least eleven teams were dispatched to the site, utilizing five vehicles and six trucks to combat the flames. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as smoke filled the theater, prompting immediate evacuation. One student, Vinícius Eduardo Mesquita, 18, studying Musical Production, recounted, "The fire started in the Teatro TUCA during a graduation ceremony. Many people say it was something with the air conditioning, perhaps a gas leak. There was an explosion, and the fire spread rapidly. The smoke was thick and black, and they began evacuating everyone." His account highlights the urgency of the situation as attendees were forced to flee amidst rising panic.
As the fire spread, concerns grew about the proximity of the flames to other university buildings, particularly the laboratories located in the Green and Yellow Blocks. Mesquita noted, "If the fire reaches those places, the risk of further explosions increases." Fortunately, the swift response from emergency services helped contain the situation before it escalated further.
Julia Mazza Auer, another student present during the incident, described the scene as resembling "scenes of terror." She expressed frustration over the lack of a fire brigade on site initially, which delayed the response. "What saddens me about this situation is that there was no fire brigade, so it took a while for them to start taking action. When we left, we had to wait in line to pay for parking, and they took a long time to open the gate," she lamented.
In the aftermath of the fire, PUC-PR announced the suspension of all in-person classes and activities on campus for Wednesday, April 16, 2025. This decision was made to ensure the safety of students and staff while investigations into the cause of the fire are conducted. The university confirmed that it is working closely with the Fire Department to determine the exact circumstances that led to the blaze.
While the fire was reported to have started around 6:30 PM and was brought under control by 8:00 PM, the damage to the Teatro TUCA was significant. The theater, which serves as a cultural hub for the university, will require extensive repairs. The university's Vice-Rector, Vidal Martins, mentioned that efforts are being made to relocate students to other classrooms to minimize disruptions to their studies.
Despite the destruction, no victims were reported, a fact that brings some relief amidst the chaos. The rapid evacuation of the area was praised by Hudson Teixeira, the Secretary of Security of Paraná, who stated, "The first priority was the evacuation of the area. We arrived with the Military Police, and the evacuation was swift to ensure that students and staff could exit safely and quickly. In a second phase, we isolated the area to allow firefighters to carry out their work."
As the investigation continues, the university faces the challenge of addressing the safety concerns raised by this incident. The lack of a fire brigade on-site and the initial delays in response have sparked discussions about emergency preparedness at the institution.
In addition to the immediate safety measures, the university is likely to review its emergency protocols to prevent such incidents in the future. The community's response to the fire has been one of solidarity, with many students and faculty expressing their gratitude that no one was injured.
As PUC-PR begins the process of recovery and rebuilding, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety measures in educational institutions. With the support of local authorities and the resilience of the university community, PUC-PR aims to overcome this setback and return to normalcy as soon as possible.
In conclusion, the fire at PUC-PR has raised significant concerns regarding safety and emergency preparedness. However, the swift actions of emergency responders and the successful evacuation of all attendees prevented a tragedy. As the investigation into the cause of the fire unfolds, the university community remains hopeful for a quick recovery and a return to regular academic activities.
