The owner estimates the damage exceeds four million euros.
The fire, which broke out at 05h41 in the warehouses of FrutiPt—a company involved in the import, export, trade, and distribution of fruits, vegetables, and other horticultural products—”completely destroyed the warehouse housing refrigeration units containing 1,500 tons of pears and apples,” stated Isidro Constantino, the owner, to Lusa.
The destruction also affected “calibrators, forklifts, all machinery, the structure itself, and two containers of fruit that were ready to be shipped to Brazil,” he added, noting that he is still unable to “calculate the total damage,” which he estimates could “range from four to five million euros at least.”
The company, employing between 35 and 40 workers, “is unlikely to resume operations, and the most probable outcome is that these people will face unemployment,” said Isidro Constantino.
According to the owner, the company, situated in Vimeiro, a parish in the municipality of Alcobaça in the district of Leiria, is insured, and the policy will be activated.
A source from the Western Sub-regional Command of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection informed Lusa that the fire was under control by 09h30, with 45 personnel from the fire brigades of Alcobaça, Benedita, São Martinho do Porto, and GNR, supported by 19 vehicles, remaining on-site as of 11h00.
