A 40-year-old man has been detained by the Polícia Judiciária (PJ) on suspicion of arson in a building that occurred early last Saturday morning in Arcozelo, Barcelos municipality.
In a statement released to the press this Tuesday, the PJ explained that the man had been “temporarily housed in a residence provided as social support.”
In the early hours of Saturday, November 1, “for reasons yet to be determined,” the suspect lit the fireplace with a lighter and deliberately “threw a sofa” onto it, “creating a horizontal fuel continuity.”
“At that time, another social support recipient, who shared the apartment, was sleeping inside the same unit. He was awakened by the intense smoke and cried for help,” the PJ explained.
The Public Security Police (PSP) and firefighters were called to the scene, and both men were transported to Barcelos Hospital due to smoke inhalation. They were discharged in the following hours.
According to the PJ, the building, managed by a Social Solidarity Institution, “was at risk of destruction” because of the furniture present inside the residence, and the fire posed a “life-threatening danger to its inhabitants.”
The detained individual has issues with alcohol addiction and exhibits behavioral instability. He will be presented to the judicial authority for an initial interrogation and the application of coercive measures.
