Major fire in Rio de Janeiro's science museum

[rsjsouza]

This is a very sad day for Brazil and the scientific community
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2018/09/news-museu-nacional-fire-rio-de-janeiro-natural-history/

The 200 years old museum is in shambles with many irreparable losses in archaeological artifacts. I have fond memories of visiting there and being marveled by its fossils, mummies, meteors/meteorites and many more things.

This disaster is a reflection of a country in tribulations without serious consideration for education. The effects of public administration corruption is an irrepairable damage to future generations.

[amyk]

I wonder what was so flammable in there? It looks like a very old stone/concrete building.

[james_s]

Probably had a lot of very old (and very dry) wood beams, flooring and other internal structure.

[bsfeechannel]

Charles Darwin must be rolling in his grave.

He visited the museum in 1832 and spent almost three weeks in Rio de Janeiro exploring the region.

 

[rsjsouza]

Although the building itself was stone and masonry, its floors, sidings, windows and many curtains on each of its rooms were highly flammable - not to mention several artifacts and documents lost forever.

The requests for funds to update the ancient building with anti flammable materials and an efficient sprinkler system were ignored for decades. Given its historic value, any renovations were very expensive.

The museum itself is responsibility of the federal government through one of its Universities.

[japasetelagoas]

Although the building itself was stone and masonry, its floors, sidings, windows and many curtains on each of its rooms were highly flammable - not to mention several artifacts and documents lost forever.

The requests for funds to update the ancient building with anti flammable materials and an efficient sprinkler system were ignored for decades. Given its historic value, any renovations were very expensive.

The museum itself is responsibility of the federal government through one of its Universities.

Oh, our federal government...

[Mr. Scram]

Although the building itself was stone and masonry, its floors, sidings, windows and many curtains on each of its rooms were highly flammable - not to mention several artifacts and documents lost forever.

The requests for funds to update the ancient building with anti flammable materials and an efficient sprinkler system were ignored for decades. Given its historic value, any renovations were very expensive.

The museum itself is responsibility of the federal government through one of its Universities.

Getting the artifacts drenched is better than burning them, but not a lot better.

It sounds like quite a devastating loss. As science is universal and human and natural history are all of ours, we all lost something of value in this fire.

[amyk]

Getting the artifacts drenched is better than burning them, but not a lot better.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bromochlorodifluoromethane

Bromochlorodifluoromethane was introduced as an effective gaseous fire suppression agent in the mid 1960s for use around highly valuable materials in places such as museums, mainframe rooms and telecommunication switching centers.

[Mr. Scram]

Getting the artifacts drenched is better than burning them, but not a lot better.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bromochlorodifluoromethane

Bromochlorodifluoromethane was introduced as an effective gaseous fire suppression agent in the mid 1960s for use around highly valuable materials in places such as museums, mainframe rooms and telecommunication switching centers.

I know, but sprinklers were being discussed.

[rsjsouza]

Charles Darwin must be rolling in his grave.

He visited the museum in 1832 and spent almost three weeks in Rio de Janeiro exploring the region.

Well, not only him but the former emperor of Brasil as well - D. Pedro II, which was a man of sciences and made a lot of efforts to take Brasil to the forefront of research on his tenure. He brought a great deal of artifacts to the museum collection.

Getting the artifacts drenched is better than burning them, but not a lot better.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bromochlorodifluoromethane

Bromochlorodifluoromethane was introduced as an effective gaseous fire suppression agent in the mid 1960s for use around highly valuable materials in places such as museums, mainframe rooms and telecommunication switching centers.

I know, but sprinklers were being discussed.

I didn't know about this; thanks!

[RobK_NL]

Given its historic value, any renovations were very expensive.

Much more expensive of course than, say, hosting the Olympics ...

My heart weeps for this loss to humanity and my blood boils for the stupidity and shortsightedness that caused it.

[rsjsouza]

Given its historic value, any renovations were very expensive.

Much more expensive of course than, say, hosting the Olympics ...

My heart weeps for this loss to humanity and my blood boils for the stupidity and shortsightedness that caused it.

Yes, you can say that also for the World cup, Carnaval and other "cultural" events that enjoy a river of public money...

[ebclr]

Do you know who is in the management of that Museum. ?

Is one of the very left extremist of PSOL party, and I doubt that this was not intentional to erase the monarchy history content from there, to "maybe" they can rewrite the history at some point in the future