A fire at a homeless shelter in São José dos Campos, a city in southeastern Brazil, claimed the lives of four people on Monday.
Authorities have arrested a 42-year-old man suspected of starting the blaze, which is being investigated as arson, according to São Paulo’s Secretariat for Public Security.
The fire broke out in the early hours of Monday morning at a shelter operated by the nonprofit organisation Comforter of the Afflicted. At the time of the incident, 22 people were inside the shelter. In addition to the four fatalities, eight individuals were injured.
A witness reported seeing someone set fire to a sofa before attempting to flee the scene. The suspect was apprehended at the shelter and is now facing charges of arson, homicide, and attempted homicide. The judicial police in São José dos Campos have requested forensic analysis to aid in the investigation.
The Comforter of the Afflicted expressed its “deep sorrow” over the tragedy in a statement on social media. The organisation highlighted preliminary information suggesting the fire was intentionally set, adding to their anguish and desire for justice.
There is preliminary information that indicates the possibility that the fire was arson, which further increases our anguish and our desire for justice.
The incident has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities faced by homeless populations and the challenges of providing safe shelter. Fires in shelters and informal housing are not uncommon in Brazil, often exacerbated by overcrowding and inadequate safety measures.
