According to prison authorities, the fire occurred in cell 22 and the first hypothesis points to the burning of a mattress, which caused the flames to spread to other parts of the prison.
The portal of the State of Santa Catarina identified the victims as Danilo Barros, Jerberson Souza and Robinson da Silva.
The Santa Catarina Military Fire Department (CBMSC) was the first external team to arrive to respond to the fire. In total, six firefighters attended, with firefighting vehicles. In addition, three advanced SAMU ambulances, a helicopter and several vehicles from the security forces joined.
A spokesman for the Fire Department indicated that the fire could have originated from an attempted rebellion or riot. However, the undersecretary of the Penitentiary and Socio-educational Administration, Neuri Mantelli, denied it.
“There was no movement of mutiny or rebellion. All public security forces provided all necessary support. We still don’t know the reason for the fire. Now we are waiting for the official expert report.” Mantelli said.
The jail in the capital of Santa Catarina has space for 900 inmates.
Regional government sources reported that the capital’s health units treated the victims who were intoxicated by the smoke.
Four policemen needed medical attention due to the risk they were running to evacuate the place. In addition, nine convicts who were in medium severity, for having inhaled smoke, were sent to hospitals.
Source: Ambito
