Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Felipe Dana/AP/Press Association Images
Rio Carnival

Rio Carnival costumes and floats destroyed by huge blaze

A fire has torn through some of the city’s most prominent dance schools, destroying parade costumes and floats – and causing €3 million worth of damage.

A FIERCE FIRE spread through some of Rio de Janeiro’s leading samba schools yesterday, destroying elaborate costumes for the city’s world-famous carnival and causing millions of euro worth of damage.

The Grande Rio Grande Rio school had been tipped to win the first ever samba parade contest on 4 March, the Guardian reports.

However, the blazed that tore through the warehouse complex where the city’s top 12 schools were located seems to have turned those hopes to ashes – with 98 per cent of the intricate costumes and floats completely destroyed.

The Grande Rio, Portela and União da Ilha schools, as well as Liesa, the carnival organiser were all housed in the warehouse. Portela’s directors told reporters that the school had lost at least 2,500 costumes.

Rio’s Carnival, billed as the “greatest show on Earth”, takes months of careful preparation.

Over the next four weeks, organisers will try to salvage what they can for the most important event on the Brazilian calendar.