Massive Fire Destroys Brazilian National Museum

A massive inferno broke out in the evening hours of Sunday at Brazil's National Museum, engulfing the nations national treasure and in the process reducing 200 years of artifacts, research, and historical finds to rubble and ash.

"Unforgettable for Brazil is the loss of the collection of the National Museum. 200 years of work, research and knowledge have been lost. The value of our history cannot be measured by the damage to the building that housed the royal family during the Empire. It's a sad day for all Brazilians," said Brazilian President Michel Temer via twitter.


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Many who watched the blaze took to the internet explaining the structure had often been on the receiving end of safety violations and officials refused to comply or simply procrastinated. The failure to address issues like exposed wires, a faulty sprinkler system and limited response to the warnings in May of 2018 will be addressed as the situation moves from containment to investigation.

Via Twitter, the comments reflect a mood of nation which has been likened to mourning the death of a relative.

"You wouldn't believe the mood over on the Brazilian side of twitter. People are mourning like a relative died. Most of my friends from Rio have fond memories of visiting it back in grade school and stuff This is a national tragedy the likes of which we haven't had in decades," said Batman Arkham Cizzy @MrNobre


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The deep, rich and treasured history of the Brazilian people had been housed in the National Museum, which was founded in 1818, four years before the nation won its independence. The loss is incomparable.

This is a developing story.

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