Fire Damages Key Collections at UFMG Natural History Museum in Belo Horizonte
A fire broke out overnight at the Museu de História Natural e Jardim Botânico da UFMG in Belo Horizonte, impacting a significant part of the collection, according to acting director Mariana de Oliveira Lacerda. The flames affected three rooms in the technical reserve, where collections related to paleontology, archaeology, biology, zoology, and entomology are stored, primarily for academic use at UFMG. The cause is still unclear, as stated by the Corpo de Bombeiros. Lacerda noted that the building had smoke detectors and updated wiring since 2013. Established in 1969, the museum holds 265,000 items, including an unharmed nativity scene by Raimundo Machado. The Instituto Brasileiro de Museus (Ibram) is coordinating recovery efforts and stresses the importance of investigating the cause.
Key facts
- Fire damaged the technical reserve of the Museu de História Natural e Jardim Botânico da UFMG.
- Collections affected include paleontology, archaeology, biology, zoology, and entomology.
- The cause of the overnight fire is under investigation by the Corpo de Bombeiros.
- Acting director Mariana de Oliveira Lacerda stated the building had updated safety systems.
- The museum's collection totals 265,000 items and was established in 1969.
- The Presépio do Pipiripau, a nationally listed artwork, was not in the damaged area.
- Ibram provided a damage mitigation protocol and volunteer database for salvage operations.
- Ibram emphasized the need for rapid cause identification to enhance heritage protection.
Entities
Artists
- Raimundo Machado
Institutions
- Museu de História Natural e Jardim Botânico da UFMG
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)
- Corpo de Bombeiros
- Instituto Brasileiro de Museus (Ibram)
- Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional (Iphan)
- Rede de Museus e Espaços de Ciências e Cultura da UFMG
- Museu Nacional (UFRJ)
Locations
- Belo Horizonte
- Brazil
- Horto
- Rio de Janeiro