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Fire hits Galeão cargo terminal in Rio and destroys two helicopters

Two helicopters were destroyed by flames that hit a warehouse at the cargo terminal at Galeão airport, on Ilha do Governador, in the north of Rio, this Wednesday (18). A third was at the scene, but was preserved, according to the Fire Department. There is still no information about the owners of the aircraft and what else was burned at the site. There were also no reports of injuries.

The causes of the fire are unknown. The site will undergo expertise, which will be able to determine the circumstances. The Federal Police stated that it is monitoring the incident and its consequences together with the Civil Police, which will conduct the investigation.

The teams began to carry out, at the beginning of the night, the work of aftermath. About one hundred soldiers from 17 units were involved in the event, with support from more than 30 vehicles and a helicopter. The shed housed various materials, such as wooden pallets and forklifts, in addition to the aircraft.

According to the concessionaire Rio Galeão, there were no impacts on the landing and takeoff operation, nor problems in the movement and integrity of the airport’s import and export cargo. But, as a security measure, the area was cordoned off. There was great concern because of the risk of explosion and/or collapse, but the fire has been brought under control and an inspection will be carried out later.

A very dense smoke was seen by those passing through the region during the afternoon. Rio City Hall even asked drivers to redouble their attention when traveling on the Linha Vermelha, one of the main routes that connects the Baixada Fluminense to the center of the capital.

The Fire Department said it was not officially triggered for the occurrence, which started around 1:40 pm. Still according to the Fire Department, the airport fire brigade tried to fight the flames without the support of the corporation, allowing the fire to spread. Knowing about the case through internet monitoring, the corporation sent military personnel to avoid the risk of spreading to the Air Base area.

Rio Galeão, on the other hand, stated that the concessionaire’s emergency center received the alert at 1:44 pm and immediately called the Fire Department, calling 193.

Source: CNN Brasil

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