Police to Question Fire Crew as Shopping Tijuca Plans Partial Reopening Friday

Overview

• Three brigadistas who joined the initial response will give statements Thursday to help reconstruct protocols, obstacles and equipment used during the fire.
• Forensic work in the basement level has not begun because the area must be stabilized to allow safe access for technical teams.
• The fire department authorized a limited reopening after corrective repairs, with the basement (L0) and part of the ground floor (L1) still interdicted as operations resume gradually on Friday.
• CM Couto representatives told police the Bell’Art store’s alarm did not activate, and said brigadista Emellyn likely asphyxiated after her oxygen supply was exhausted.
• The shopping says it placed three calls to firefighters between 6:12 p.m. and 6:22 p.m., a point disputed by the private brigade, while shopkeepers are cleaning and documenting losses with union legal guidance.