BELEM, Brazil — A fire briefly swept through pavilions used for U.N. climate talks at COP30 on Thursday, prompting an evacuation of the conference site on the next-to-last day; 13 people were treated for smoke inhalation. Organizers said the blaze was brought under control in about six minutes, but officials ordered everyone off the grounds and it was unclear when sessions would resume.
Brazil’s Tourism Minister Celso Sabino said the fire began near the China Pavilion, one of several temporary pavilions set up for side events. The flames spread quickly to adjacent structures, including several Africa pavilions and a youth pavilion, according to Samuel Rubin, who helps run an entertainment and culture pavilion. Video showed large flames engulfing one of the fabric pavilions, which are typically three-walled reinforced canvas structures with floors.
Para state Gov. Helder Barbalho told local media that a generator failure or a short circuit in a booth may have sparked the blaze. Much of the summit venue in Belem remained under construction up to the opening, with exposed beams, open plywood floors and partially finished corridors; during a pre-summit event, drilling and jackhammering were audible as leaders spoke.
Volunteer Gabi Andrade, who had been working accreditations for three weeks, said she was exploring the Singapore pavilion when she saw black smoke. A security guard led her to an exit as she cried and shouted “fire.” She expressed concern about the impact on Brazil’s reputation as host, saying, “It’s so sad for us. We all worked so hard.”