São Paulo, Brazil—A massive industrial warehouse collapsed early Sunday morning, leaving two workers dead beneath the rubble. Civil Defense units arrived at the site just after 7:00 a.m. following reports of a loud crash heard by residents in the surrounding neighborhood. First responders spent several hours using heavy equipment to lift concrete slabs and twisted metal beams.

The warehouse was used primarily for storage, and initial findings suggest that the roof structure gave way under the weight of accumulated debris from recent storms. Two employees were inside at the time performing inventory checks when the primary support columns failed. Their bodies were recovered from the center of the structure shortly after midday.

The site remains sealed off as engineers assess whether adjacent buildings are at risk of a secondary collapse. Inspectors from the municipality have already arrived to review the building permits and structural integrity reports. Evidence suggests that the warehouse had not undergone a formal safety audit in over five years.

Neighbors have described the building as having visible cracks along the foundation for several months. These warnings were reportedly sent to the property management company, though no repairs were recorded. Municipal authorities are now seeking to verify these claims as part of the formal investigation into negligence.

Work crews are stabilizing the remaining walls to prevent further hazards to the surrounding residential blocks. The area is currently cordoned off with police tape while investigators document the location of the debris. No other workers were inside the facility during the incident, as Sunday is typically a non-operational day for the warehouse.

The recovery operation was slow due to the volatile state of the remaining walls. Firefighters utilized specialized sensors to ensure no one else was trapped beneath the heavier sections of the roof. The families of the deceased have been informed and are receiving assistance from local social services.

The property owner has not yet provided a public statement regarding the disaster. Prosecutors have indicated they will be launching a probe into whether building codes were violated. The site will remain under observation until the structural assessment is completed later this week.

Operations are now shifting toward site cleanup, though the investigation into the cause remains active.