The Instituto da Segurança Social has initiated an investigation into the fire at Lar Bom Samaritano, Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Mirandela, where six elderly individuals perished and five others were seriously injured.
The Segurança Social stated that “the establishment adhered to the security plan according to legal requirements, and a visit to the rooms was conducted ten minutes prior,” in communications to RTP.
The institute further assured that “it is, in coordination with the local authorities, health authorities, and police entities, providing all necessary support to the elderly and families and overseeing their transfer.”
The fire, which broke out at around 5:00 AM on Saturday, led to the death of six elderly individuals and injured 25 people, five of whom were in serious condition.
The blaze is believed to have started in an “anti-bedsore mattress” in a room with three residents, and the six fatalities included the three individuals in that room and three others who succumbed to smoke inhalation.
The institution’s provider, Adérito Gomes, had mentioned that surveillance cameras, which were reviewed, showed that staff conducted a check 10 minutes before “smoke started to come out from under the room’s door,” where the three residents who died were located.
In a “20 seconds” timeframe, according to Adérito Gomes, “the hallway was completely filled with smoke,” prompting the staff to call for help.
Paulo Pereira, who resides a few meters from the home and was the first to assist, saving three people, recounted trying to extinguish the fire with extinguishers, but “only one out of three worked.”
Six elderly people died, and 25 were injured, five seriously, after a fire broke out in a care home in Mirandela. This report outlines what is currently known about the incident.
Notícias ao Minuto with Lusa | 18:11 – 16/08/2025
The causes of the fire are under investigation, and the case has been handed over to the Polícia Judiciária (PJ), which has been collecting evidence from the site.
The Bragança District Command of PSP explained that they initially handled the incident upon arrival, but due to the fatalities and injuries, the case was referred to the PJ and the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Following the fire, uninjured residents were transferred to other Misericórdia facilities. A total of 89 elderly people lived in the home.
The municipality of Mirandela also provided psychological and logistical support to the families of residents, directing them to the Victim Support Center located at the INATEL pavilion.
The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and the Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, have expressed “heartfelt condolences” to the families of the victims of the “tragic” fire.
The Municipality of Mirandela declared three days of municipal mourning, “canceling events organized directly and jointly by the municipality.”
