Buda Mendes, Getty ImagesA fire burns at the National Museum of Brazil on Sept. 2, 2018 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The museum, which is tied to the Rio de Janeiro federal university and the Education Ministry, was founded in 1818 by King John VI of Portugal. It houses several landmark collections including Egyptian artefacts and the oldest human fossil found in Brazil. Its collection include more than 20 million items ranging from archaeological findings to historical memorabilia.
Carl DE SOUZA , AFPA massive fire engulfs the National Museum in Rio de Janeiro, one of Brazil's oldest, on Sept. 2, 2018. - The cause of the fire was not yet known, according to local media. CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images
Leo Correa, The Associated PressPeople watch as flames engulf the 200-year-old National Museum of Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018. According to its website, the museum has thousands of items related to the history of Brazil and other countries. The museum is part of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Leo Correa, The Associated PressFire burns inside the 200-year-old National Museum of Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018. According to its website, the museum has thousands of items related to the history of Brazil and other countries. The museum is part of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Carl DE SOUZA , AFPPolicemen watch as a massive fire engulfs the National Museum in Rio de Janeiro, one of Brazil's oldest, on Sept. 2, 2018. - The cause of the fire was not yet known, according to local media. CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images
Buda Mendes, Getty ImagesA fire burns at the National Museum of Brazil on Sept. 2, 2018 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The museum, which is tied to the Rio de Janeiro federal university and the Education Ministry, was founded in 1818 by King John VI of Portugal. It houses several landmark collections including Egyptian artefacts and the oldest human fossil found in Brazil. Its collection include more than 20 million items ranging from archaeological findings to historical memorabilia.
Buda Mendes, Getty ImagesA fire burns at the National Museum of Brazil on Sept. 2, 2018 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The museum, which is tied to the Rio de Janeiro federal university and the Education Ministry, was founded in 1818 by King John VI of Portugal. It houses several landmark collections including Egyptian artefacts and the oldest human fossil found in Brazil. Its collection include more than 20 million items ranging from archaeological findings to historical memorabilia.
Carl DE SOUZA , AFPTOPSHOT - A police officer prevents people from getting near the building as a massive fire engulfs the National Museum in Rio de Janeiro, one of Brazil's oldest, on Sept. 2, 2018. - The cause of the fire was not yet known, according to local media. CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images
Buda Mendes, Getty ImagesA fire burns at the National Museum of Brazil on Sept. 2, 2018 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The museum, which is tied to the Rio de Janeiro federal university and the Education Ministry, was founded in 1818 by King John VI of Portugal. It houses several landmark collections including Egyptian artefacts and the oldest human fossil found in Brazil. Its collection include more than 20 million items ranging from archaeological findings to historical memorabilia.
Leo Correa, The Associated PressPeople watch as flames engulf the 200-year-old National Museum of Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018. According to its website, the museum has thousands of items related to the history of Brazil and other countries. The museum is part of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Mauro Pimentel , AFPDrone view of Rio de Janeiro's treasured National Museum, one of Brazil's oldest, with the Maracana stadium in the background, on Sept. 3, 2018, a day after a massive fire ripped through the building. - The majestic edifice stood engulfed in flames as plumes of smoke shot into the night sky, while firefighters battled to control the blaze that erupted around 2230 GMT. Five hours later they had managed to smother much of the inferno that had torn through hundreds of rooms, but were still working to extinguish it completely, according to an AFP photographer at the scene. MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP/Getty Images
Mauro PIMENTEL , AFPA firefighter works at Rio de Janeiro's treasured National Museum, one of Brazil's oldest, on Sept. 3, 2018 a day after a massive fire ripped through the building. - The majestic edifice stood engulfed in flames as plumes of smoke shot into the night sky, while firefighters battled to control the blaze that erupted around 2230 GMT. Five hours later they had managed to smother much of the inferno that had torn through hundreds of rooms, but were still working to extinguish it completely, according to an AFP photographer at the scene. MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP/Getty Images
Carl DE SOUZA , AFPFirefighters are seen outside Rio de Janeiro's treasured National Museum, one of Brazil's oldest, on Sept. 3, 2018 a day after a massive fire ripped through the building. - The majestic edifice stood engulfed in flames as plumes of smoke shot into the night sky, while firefighters battled to control the blaze that erupted around 2230 GMT. Five hours later they had managed to smother much of the inferno that had torn through hundreds of rooms, but were still working to extinguish it completely, according to an AFP photographer at the scene. CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images
CARL DE SOUZA , AFPA firefighter works near a meteorite at Rio de Janeiro's treasured National Museum, one of Brazil's oldest, on Sept. 3, 2018, a day after a massive fire ripped through the building. - The majestic edifice stood engulfed in flames as plumes of smoke shot into the night sky, while firefighters battled to control the blaze that erupted around 2230 GMT. Five hours later they had managed to smother much of the inferno that had torn through hundreds of rooms, but were still working to extinguish it completely, according to an AFP photographer at the scene. CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images
Mauro Pimentel , AFPMuseum staffers and firefighters take out a painting from the debris of Rio de Janeiro's treasured National Museum, one of Brazil's oldest, on Sept. 3, 2018 a day after a massive fire ripped through the building. - The majestic edifice stood engulfed in flames as plumes of smoke shot into the night sky, while firefighters battled to control the blaze that erupted around 2230 GMT. Five hours later they had managed to smother much of the inferno that had torn through hundreds of rooms, but were still working to extinguish it completely, according to an AFP photographer at the scene. MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP/Getty Images
CARL DE SOUZA , AFPTOPSHOT - View of the entrance of Rio de Janeiro's treasured National Museum, one of Brazil's oldest, on Sept. 3, 2018, a day after a massive fire ripped through the building. - The majestic edifice stood engulfed in flames as plumes of smoke shot into the night sky, while firefighters battled to control the blaze that erupted around 2230 GMT. Five hours later they had managed to smother much of the inferno that had torn through hundreds of rooms, but were still working to extinguish it completely, according to an AFP photographer at the scene. CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images
Mauro Pimentel , AFPMuseum staffers and firefighters take out meteorites from the debris of Rio de Janeiro's treasured National Museum, one of Brazil's oldest, on Sept. 3, 2018 a day after a massive fire ripped through the building. - The majestic edifice stood engulfed in flames as plumes of smoke shot into the night sky, while firefighters battled to control the blaze that erupted around 2230 GMT. Five hours later they had managed to smother much of the inferno that had torn through hundreds of rooms, but were still working to extinguish it completely, according to an AFP photographer at the scene. MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP/Getty Images
Carl DE SOUZA , AFPPeople react outside Rio de Janeiro's treasured National Museum, one of Brazil's oldest, on Sept. 3, 2018 a day after a massive fire ripped through the building. - The majestic edifice stood engulfed in flames as plumes of smoke shot into the night sky, while firefighters battled to control the blaze that erupted around 2230 GMT. Five hours later they had managed to smother much of the inferno that had torn through hundreds of rooms, but were still working to extinguish it completely, according to an AFP photographer at the scene. CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images
Mauro Pimentel , AFPAerial view of Rio de Janeiro's treasured National Museum, one of Brazil's oldest, on Sept. 3, 2018, a day after a massive fire ripped through the building. - The majestic edifice stood engulfed in flames as plumes of smoke shot into the night sky, while firefighters battled to control the blaze that erupted around 2230 GMT. Five hours later they had managed to smother much of the inferno that had torn through hundreds of rooms, but were still working to extinguish it completely. MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP/Getty Images
Carl DE SOUZA , AFPWomen react a day after a massive fire ripped through Rio de Janeiro's treasured National Museum, one of Brazil's oldest, on Sept. 3, 2018. - The majestic edifice stood engulfed in flames as plumes of smoke shot into the night sky, while firefighters battled to control the blaze that erupted around 2230 GMT. Five hours later they had managed to smother much of the inferno that had torn through hundreds of rooms, but were still working to extinguish it completely, according to an AFP photographer at the scene. CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images
Carl DE SOUZA , AFPPeople cry a day after a massive fire ripped through Rio de Janeiro's treasured National Museum, one of Brazil's oldest, on Sept. 3, 2018. - The majestic edifice stood engulfed in flames as plumes of smoke shot into the night sky, while firefighters battled to control the blaze that erupted around 2230 GMT. Five hours later they had managed to smother much of the inferno that had torn through hundreds of rooms, but were still working to extinguish it completely, according to an AFP photographer at the scene. CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images
Silvia Izquierdo, The Associated PressA National Museum worker organizes pieces rescued from the museum after an overnight fire in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Sept. 3, 2018. A huge fire engulfed Brazil's 200-year-old National Museum in Rio de Janeiro, lighting up the night sky with towering flames as firefighters and museum workers raced to save historical relics from the blaze.
Mauro Pimentel , AFPTOPSHOT - Drone view of Rio de Janeiro's treasured National Museum, one of Brazil's oldest, on Sept. 3, 2018, a day after a massive fire ripped through the building. - The majestic edifice stood engulfed in flames as plumes of smoke shot into the night sky, while firefighters battled to control the blaze that erupted around 2230 GMT. Five hours later they had managed to smother much of the inferno that had torn through hundreds of rooms, but were still working to extinguish it completely, according to an AFP photographer at the scene. MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP/Getty Images
Carl DE SOUZA , AFPTOPSHOT - People protesting against the Brazilian Federal Government at the gates of the Quinta da Boa Vista park on Sept. 3, 2018 a day after a massive fire ripped through Rio de Janeiro's treasured National Museum at the park. - The majestic edifice stood engulfed in flames as plumes of smoke shot into the night sky, while firefighters battled to control the blaze that erupted around 2230 GMT. Five hours later they had managed to smother much of the inferno that had torn through hundreds of rooms, but were still working to extinguish it completely, according to an AFP photographer at the scene. CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images
Carl DE SOUZA , AFPTOPSHOT - A researcher gestures they try to salvage artifacts from the debris a day after a massive fire ripped through Rio de Janeiro's treasured National Museum, one of Brazil's oldest, on Sept. 3, 2018. - The majestic edifice stood engulfed in flames as plumes of smoke shot into the night sky, while firefighters battled to control the blaze that erupted around 2230 GMT. Five hours later they had managed to smother much of the inferno that had torn through hundreds of rooms, but were still working to extinguish it completely, according to an AFP photographer at the scene. CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images
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A fire burns at the National Museum of Brazil on Sept. 2, 2018 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The museum, which is tied to the Rio de Janeiro federal university and the Education Ministry, was founded in 1818 by King John VI of Portugal. It houses several landmark collections including Egyptian artefacts and the oldest human fossil found in Brazil. Its collection include more than 20 million items ranging from archaeological findings to historical memorabilia.
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Rio de Janeiro’s treasured National Museum, one of Brazil’s oldest, had a massive fire ripped through its building. – The majestic edifice stood engulfed in flames as plumes of smoke shot into the night sky, while firefighters battled to control the blaze that erupted around 2230 GMT. Most of the building’s artifacts were lost.























