In response to a fire Wednesday at a Rio de Janeiro factory that produces costumes for Carnival, Rio's Labor Prosecutor's Office has launched an inquiry into the factory's working conditions amid reports of workers, including teenagers, sleeping on-site in degrading conditions. The blaze, battled by 90 firefighters, resulted in the rescue of 21 individuals from the building, with 10 suffering from toxic smoke inhalation; eight remain in serious condition while two are stable. Wesley da Cruz, a carnival worker, recounted the incident: "There were more than 20 people in there. The fire started when we were sleeping."
Charles Ferreira, a nearby resident, recalled his response: "We went to see what was happening. I got my motorbike, went to the firefighters and they sent a truck and an ambulance." The fire occurred at the Maximus factory, a key supplier for samba schools in Rio, including Imperio Serrano, impacting the broader preparations for Carnival. Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes reported that structural damage led to the closure of the factory and its annex due to collapse risks.
Samba school Imperio Serrano emphasized safety, saying: "At this time, we are focused on ensuring the safety of everyone involved in this accident." Liga RJ, an association of samba schools, announced plans for an emergency assembly to assess the situation's implications on Carnival planning. They stated: "The impact of this incident directly affects the planning of Carnival and the entire production chain involved in its realization." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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