Manaus: Fire damages historic Banco da Amazônia building

A large fire destroyed part of the former Banco da Amazônia (Basa) building in downtown Manaus on Thursday morning. The historic structure, located on Avenida Sete de Setembro, suffered damage to its roof and internal wooden components. The Amazonas Military Fire Brigade (CBMAM) controlled the flames and conducted cooling operations to prevent further spread.

While the fire caused significant smoke and required the isolation of Avenida Sete de Setembro, local authorities confirmed that the nearby Sou Manaus Passo a Paço 2026 festival structures and equipment were not affected. The Municipal Civil Defense is conducting inspections to evaluate the structural integrity of the building and the surrounding area.

The building, designed by architect Severiano Mário Porto and inaugurated in 1979, is considered a significant piece of modern architecture in the Amazon. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, though unconfirmed social media reports suggested potential involvement by individuals in street situations.