Fire at Arena Pantanal

Arena Pantanal is one of the sites in Brazil that will host the FIFA World Cup this summer. However, a fire, whose extensive effects have recently been revealed, threatens this possibility.

On October 25, 2013, the Arena experienced a fire. However, it was not until the Public Ministry released a report in December that the extent of the damage was apparent. Photos show cracks in the concrete pillars, decomposition of the concrete ceiling above the fire, and damage to the stadium's steel frame. Yet Brazilian officials did not acknowledge the report until now. Mato Grosso officials insist that the fire did not cause structural damage. And even more curious, FIFA was "unaware" that the damage.


Photo evidence of the damage at Arena Pantanal.

As to the cause of the fire, police suspect arson. They suspect that a disgruntled construction worker was responsible for this crime. Fortunately, local engineers believe that the damage is "fixable." Still, the failure of the Brazilian government to recognize the extent of the damage calls into question its ability to deal with the influx of 600,000 foreign visitors this summer. Only time will tell if it will be sufficiently prepared to host the World Cup by July.

-Gwynn Lyons