Porto Alegre automotive company fire starts in painting booth

A fire broke out at an automotive recovery company in the São João neighborhood of Porto Alegre on Friday afternoon. According to Captain Aline Vasconcelos of the Fire Department, the blaze originated in a painting booth, an area containing highly flammable chemical materials.

The fire damaged three vehicles and caused part of the building's roof to collapse. Civil Defense is currently evaluating the structure to determine if a partial or total interdiction of the building is necessary for safety. Residents reported hearing explosions as the fire began.

Emergency services, including Samu, treated one woman for an anxiety crisis and removed two employees for medical assistance. While some vehicles were saved by staff and moved to the street, others sustained damage from ash and melting plastic.