Joelma Building

It was in the year 1974, February 1 when one of the most devastating tragedies in Sao Paolo Brazil erupted.  Joelma Building, one of the high-rise structures is ablaze.  Out of the 756 occupants of the building, over half of them acquired an injury and at least 179 suffered an unfortunate demise.  The images captured on that devastating day is a high resemblance of what happened during the fall of the World Trade Center.  There are people committing a free fall in hopes that they will escape the fire but all of them suffered the same fate.

The Shocking Incident of the Joelma Fire

It was Friday Morning, February 1^st 1974, when the locals of the Sao Paolo Brazil woke up at the terrifying sight of their high rise building being engulfed by fire while the occupants are helplessly trying to escape the fire.  It was 8:50 in the morning when the occupant of the nearby building noticed the fire and immediately reported it to the fire department.  It was less than an hour before the fire broke out uncontrollably trapping the residents of the Joelma Building.

Ever since its date of construction, there has already been so much concern in the safety of the building.  The local fire department is aware about the hazard since the fire stair can only reach up to the 15 story of the buildings (Joelma Building extends up to 25 storeys).  Furthermore, there are no emergency exits, fire alarm, emergency light and sprinkler found inside the building.

The authority determined that the cause of the massive fire is an overheated air conditioner unit found at the 12^th floor of the building.  The circuit breaker has been breached; the air conditioner unit continues to run until it caused fire.  Around 750 individuals are occupying the building when the fire erupted.  More than half of the residents acquired an injury and 179 fatalities were recorded.

Escaping the Fire

For those people who have been trapped inside the Joelma Building, the experience is terrifying to say the least.  Despite of the fact that more than 500 occupants were able to escape the building before the fire totally broke out, the remaining occupants were trapped due to the smoke, heat and flame and their only route is to go straight to the rooftop.

At least 170 people were able to make it on the rooftop of Joelma Building but due to the limit of the fire ladder and the smoke and fire, the rescue has proved to be futile. People started to become desperate and they tried to drop from the succeeding floor hoping that they will reach the fire ladder which only extends up to 15^th floor.  Incidentally, the fire only reached the 15^th floor.

The Haunted Joelma Building

After the unfortunate tragedy, the management closed the building in order to undergo repair and renovation.  They also renamed the Joelma Building in hopes that the people will forget the event.  Unfortunately, the spirits of the victims that dwell on that building will never forget the event easily.  From the 12^th floor up to the 15^th floor, people have reported numerous paranormal activities.  People are experiencing malfunctions of the fire alarms and seeing apparitions.  There is also the malfunctioning of the elevator where the souls of the 13 have been trapped.