Brazil National Museum fire
[edit] Overview
On 2 September 2018, a devastating fire broke out in Brazil’s National Museum in Rio de Janeiro.
It is believed that the museum has been completely destroyed, along with a sizeable proportion of its archive which is estimated to contain more than 20 million items related to the history of the Americas. While there are no reports of injuries, two of the museum’s vice-directors said that the loss to Brazilian science, history and culture was “incalculable”.
Located inside Rio's Quinta da Boa Vista park, the museum had recently celebrated its 200th anniversary, having been founded in 1818. However, it had begun falling into disrepair; an issue which some Brazilians complained was the result of the government’s austerity cuts to science and education, and a broader neglect of national assets.
The cause of the fire is as yet undetermined. There were reports that firefighters were unable to adequately tackle the blaze at first because two hydrants were empty, meaning they had to pump water from a nearby lake.
Rio de Janeiro’s chief Colonel Roberto Robaday said; “This is an old building with a lot of flammable material, lots of wood and the documents and the archive itself.”
Brazil’s president, Michel Temer said; “Today is a tragic day for the museology of our country. Two hundred years of work research and knowledge were lost.”
[edit] Updates
In October 2018, a month after the fire, the Brazilian authorities indicated their intention to rebuild the National Museum, with emergency works underway to contain, clean and protect the remaining structure.
R$8.9 million ($2.4 million) has been allocated to the first phase of the rebuilding process by the Department of Education (MEC). This phase is expected to take six months and will involve clearing the site before protecting and anchoring the remaining structures and building a temporary, independent steel roof.
Initial budget estimates of R$15m ($3.7m) for the repairs have now been revised to around R$50 - 100m ($13.4 - 27m).
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.