Two buildings collapse in the southern zone of São Paulo.
According to Civil Defense, the buildings were constructed on top of a channeled stream, whose volume increased with the rain, causing the structures of the buildings to collapse; in addition to the two commercial buildings, four others were closed in the Campo Limpo region.
Camila Maciel
Reporter from Agência Brasil
São Paulo – Two commercial buildings collapsed and four others have been closed off since Wednesday night, the 9th, in the Jardim Macedônia neighborhood, in the Campo Limpo region, in the southern part of the city of São Paulo. According to Civil Defense, the buildings were constructed on top of a channeled stream, whose volume increased with the rain, causing the buildings' structures to weaken. City technicians and engineers are on site to conduct a new inspection, which will determine the future of the buildings. There were no injuries.
The coordinator of Civil Defense for the Campo Limpo sub-prefecture, David Monteiro, explained that the properties were closed off yesterday afternoon after an inspection by the agency, and the collapse occurred around 21 pm. "We were notified by the owners. After the inspection, everyone was evacuated. The demolition will be decided by the city's engineers," he informed. He also explained that technicians from the power company are on site to properly remove the utility pole in front of the buildings, which was knocked down by the rubble from the collapse.
At the site, there was a fruit and vegetable stand and a clothing store. Valdir Pinheiro, 47, owned the establishment, which had been operating there for 20 years. "We were never shut down, but I knew it was illegal because there was a stream running through here. Everyone buys and sells only with cash, there's no paper money," he reported. Valdir noticed tremors in the building yesterday morning and decided to dig a hole to check what was underneath the structure. "We went into a hole 3 to 4 meters deep and saw a broken storm drain with a lot of water," he explained.
Next to the collapsed buildings, four properties were condemned. According to Monteiro, these buildings house bars and auto parts stores on the ground floor, but people live on the upper floors. "Fifteen people were registered. They were assisted by social services, but were sheltered by neighbors," informed the Civil Defense coordinator. He highlighted that rental assistance should be offered to the residents.
Agostinho de Paiva and Póvoa do Varzim streets, where the properties are located, have been blocked since yesterday. Technicians from the Traffic Engineering Company (CET) are diverting buses that used to travel that route.