Ten killed as fire sweeps through Flamengo facility
RIO DE JANEIRO: A fire swept through the training centre and lodgings of Rio de Janeiro football club Flamengo on Friday, killing 10 people, including members of the club’s youth side, firefighters and news reports said.
At least three youths aged 14 and 15 were injured in the blaze. All three were taken to the hospital, one of them reportedly in a serious condition.
Firefighters said they arrived at the Ninho do Urubu, a state-ofthe-art training centre that was expanded and opened only two months ago, shortly after 5 a.m. (0700 GMT) to find the building engulfed in flames.
Some people had managed to escape, but the ferocity of the blaze prevented firefighters from entering the facility.
“We managed to rescue the victims that were outside,” fire service Lieutentant Colonel Douglas Henaut told reporters. “The place was completely overtaken by fire. As much as we tried to get inside and find people still alive that wasn’t (possible) ... We only found bodies inside.”
“We can’t tell you the cause of the fire, that needs to be investigated,” he added.
One young player said the fire started in his room. “The air conditioner caught fire, and I ran out,” said Felipe Cardoso, a midfielder with the under-17 side. “Thank God I managed to run and I’m still alive.”