In the early hours of Monday 30th April, a 24-storey building in the centre of São Paulo, currently occupied by families with no accommodation, caught fire due to the explosion of a gas cylinder and collapsed. In the area close to the Cathedral there are several abandoned buildings, mainly occupied by families of immigrants coming from the northwest of Brazil. At present one person died. However, victims might increase in the next hours as the number of people staying in the building at that time is still uncertain.
Fifteen children of the School of Peace in São Paulo were living in this palace: they are all safe and sound. The School of Peace welcomes and supports children living in three different occupied buildings. The youngsters of Sant’Egidio in São Paulo went quickly to the scene of the disaster and spent the all day there helping children and their families. Those who lost everything in the fire are currently hosted in makeshift premises, thanks to the Prefecture of São Paulo. Nevertheless, some have decided to remain in the main square in front of their destroyed houses.
The children of the School of Peace are currently at relatives and friends: the Community will continue to help them in the following days