Belém historic building partially collapses; Iphan says it was recently inspected

A section of a historic mansion's facade collapsed on Monday, June 6th, in the Campina neighborhood of Belém, Brazil. The building, located at the intersection of Rua 13 de Maio and Travessa Padre Eutíquio, is part of a protected architectural ensemble in the Cidade Velha and Campina districts. Notably, the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (Iphan) had inspected the property approximately four months prior, in March, and reported no signs of cracks or imminent collapse. Iphan confirmed the mansion, while not individually federally listed, is protected as part of a larger heritage area. In 2022, the property received authorization for painting services.

Following the incident, Iphan initiated a compliance procedure to investigate and take administrative action, including potential fines. The institute emphasized that property owners are responsible for the conservation and maintenance of protected assets, citing Decree-Law No. 25/1937. Iphan clarified that structural stability, technical assessments, and traffic management fall under the purview of the Civil Defense and Fire Department. Firefighters were initially called to the scene due to reports of falling plaster and were in the process of isolating the area when part of the structure gave way. No injuries were reported, but debris damaged the street, leading to traffic closures. The building housed a makeup store on the ground floor and a storage area above.

Iphan also revealed that since 2019, it has been surveying abandoned or at-risk properties within Belém's protected areas, identifying approximately 108 such buildings. Of these, about 18% have undergone emergency recovery measures after discussions with their owners. The City Hall of Belém is collaborating with the Fire Department and Iphan on preventive measures, and the local electricity company was involved due to damaged power lines.