Blaze erupts at COP30 conference hall as fire rips through UN’s eco summit days after protesters clashed with security
A TERRIFYING fire has ripped through a conference hall hosting the United Nations’ COP30 climate summit – sparking a mass evacuation.
The blaze broke out as hundreds were still inside including foreign ministers in what marks the second major incident at the eco event after protesters clashed with security just days earlier.
The summit was thrown into chaos earlier today as flames quickly spread throughout the venue in Belém, Brazil.
Horror footage captured the fire as it tore through a conference room just after 2pm local time.
People were left running for their lives away from the rising flames as brave security teams rushed in with fire extinguishers in hand.
Thick black plumes of smoke engulfed the conference as security cleared out the venue within minutes.
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The devastating impact of the fire was evident in aftermath photos which showed the roof of one of the pavillions ripped to shreds.
Reports of the fire were first made inside one of the pavilions which was being used for United Nations climate talks.
The fire quickly spread to several of the neighboring pavilions, officials confirmed.
Dozens of firefighters arrived on the scene to help battle the flames.
It is unclear what sparked the inferno.
Para state Gov. Helder Barbalho told news outlet G1 that a generator failure or a short circuit in a booth may have started the fire.
Brazil’s tourism minister Celso Sabino told reporters at the venue that the fire is now under control and no one was hurt.
He said that they believe the fire started near to the China pavilion before tearing through several Africa pavilions.
Dr Harshita Umesh, who was giving a talk next to the source of the flames, told of the horrors as he spoke to the BBC.
He said: “It was climbing the walls and onto the ceiling. People were screaming.”
Emergency medicine specialist Kimberly Humphrey has been helping those who had to escape the smoke-filled venue.
She said that while there have been no reports of burns, dozens of people have been treated for symptoms of smoke inhalation.
“People are pretty traumatised and shocked,” she added.
All those inside were made to wait outside of the charred venue as fire crews extinguished the flames.
Hundreds of people were seen sitting on the floor or on plastic chairs outside in soaring heat and sticky humidity.
The summit has already faced major security issues this year.
Security staff were left bleeding and being wheeled out in wheelchairs at the climate talks after a furious protestor mob smashed in and clashed with guards.
Footage shows scores of protestors, some brandishing batons, pushing into the main venue, with many dressed in indigenous headgear.
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They shout furiously, waving banners and flags bearing slogans such as: “Our forests are not for sale.”
After kicking down doors, they grapple with security and tensions boil over.