The Joelma Building — the Thirteen Souls

OVERVIEW

The 25-storey Joelma Building on Avenida 9 de Julho was completed in 1971. On 1 February 1974 a faulty air-conditioning unit on the twelfth floor started a fire that engulfed the interior, furnished with flammable materials, within twenty minutes; there were no sprinklers, alarms, emergency lights or fire exits, only lifts and a single stairwell. Of 756 people inside, 179 were killed and 300 injured. Forty people jumped. It remains one of the deadliest skyscraper fires on record, and changed fire regulations in Brazil and beyond.

HISTORY

Thirteen people who tried to escape in one of the lifts died of smoke inhalation and were burned beyond recognition. They were never identified, and they are buried in anonymous graves at the Vila Alpina Cemetery. The building was closed for four years, rebuilt and renamed; a 2013 inspection found it exceeded current fire regulations.

REPORTED ACTIVITY

The building is said to be haunted by the victims of the fire, centred on what is known as the Mystery of the Thirteen Souls — the people who died in the lift. The deaths and the anonymous graves are documented fact; the haunting is the tradition that grew around them.

VISITING

A working office building. It is also the place where 179 people died; treat it accordingly. The thirteen are at Vila Alpina Cemetery.