ZCZC
BFF-20
BRAZIL-MUSEUM-FIRE
Brazil orders museums to boost fire protection
RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept 13, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Brazil has issued a 30-day
deadline to improve fire protection at six federal museums, a week after a
blaze gutted Rio de Janeiro’s treasured National Museum.
Federal Judge Geraldine Pinto Vital ordered that steps be taken immediately
at the museums of the Republic, Villa-Lobos, De la Chacara do Ceu, Do Acude,
National Fine Arts and the National Historical Museum.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office ordered the six closed temporarily because
they did not have the authorization of the firefighters to operate.
On the night of September 2, a fire destroyed the three floors of the
National Museum, which had a collection of some 20 million pieces. It was the
country’s oldest.
The causes of the incident continue to be investigated.
The historical institution, linked to the Federal University of Rio de
Janeiro (UFRJ), had suffered cuts in funding, which forced it to close
several of its spaces to the public.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0955 hrs