“Terrifying:” Fire forces evacuation at UN climate conference, at key point in negotiations

A fire forced the total evacuation of the Blue Zone venue at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, ending negotiations as they reached a critical moment.

Dramatic video posted to social media showed people fleeing as the fire began in a pavilion behind the East Africa Community pavilion in the main exhibition hall.

Other videos recorded how technical staff and volunteers attempted to fight the fire as it began to engulf the cloth draping that covered the walls and ceiling of the conference.

With no fire alarm system or sprinklers in the temporary structure that was erected to house the negotiations, security personnel were left to warn people by word of mouth and with whistles.

The result was a rush for the exits by those in the exhibition hall, and a progressive evacuation of other areas of the building including the delegates officers and the media centre.

At one point international media attempted to re-enter the building to document the aftermath but were blocked by security who formed a wall to push back the scrum.

The fire was quickly brought under control and no serious injuries were reported, though several staff who responded to the incident were treated for smoke-inhalation.

In an update, a notice from the  UNFCCC thanked delegates for “the swift evacuation of the venue.”

“The fire has been contained with limited damage. Delegates are advised that the venue will not reopen before 8pm. Further communication will follow shortly,” it said.

Images of the aftermath of the fire showed serious damage to fabric and a hole in the roof.

Dr Kimberley Humphrey, an emergency medicine specialist attended COP30 with Doctors for the Environment Australia and provided assistance in the medical tent described the experience as “terrifying”.

“There wasn’t an orderly evacuation of people. It was people running. It was terrifying,” she said. “We’ve had flooding. Now we had fire. It’s like the universe is telling us something, which is: get on and do something.”

Later, an official statement said 13 individuals were treated on site for smoke inhalation. “Their condition is being monitored, and appropriate medical support has been provided,” it said.

“As a precaution, the Brazilian Government and the UNFCCC have jointly decided to temporarily close the Blue Zone while the fire department carries out a comprehensive safety assessment.

“Delegates are requested to await further official communication, which will be issued at 8:00 PM this evening, once the venue has been thoroughly evaluated and deemed fully safe.”

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