Shopping Tijuca Fire Kills Two Brigadistas as Mall Remains Closed During Extended Response

Overview

• Police identified the victims as brigadistas Anderson Aguiar do Prado and Emellyn Silva Aguiar Menezes, whom fire officials say likely died while aiding evacuations and firefighting in the subsoil store.
• The fire started in the mall’s basement in a decoration shop identified as Bellart; reports cite an air-conditioning unit as a possible ignition point, but the cause remains under investigation by the 19th Precinct.
• Firefighters reported a hard‑to‑reach area with dense smoke that required mechanical ventilation, self‑contained breathing gear, rooftop access by helicopter, and openings cut into exterior walls to improve airflow.
• Authorities said at least three other people were injured, with victims treated at the Tijuca UPA and Municipal Hospital Souza Aguiar after smoke inhalation and related complications.
• The complex stayed closed on Saturday as roughly 65 to 75 firefighters from about 15 units continued rescaldo operations, with nearby streets partially restricted and controlled vehicle retrieval from the garage.