After a devastating fire broke out in a nine-story building in Mira Sintra, Helena Cardoso, president of the União de Freguesias de Agualva-Mira Sintra, stated she had been in contact with the family of the deceased victim, emphasizing that the widow is currently in shock but has support from her children and therefore does not need relocation.
“We are in constant contact with the condominium in case any assistance is required from the parish council. We will always be available, as will the PSP and the municipal council, to work together,” Cardoso added.
The fire, which erupted on the eighth floor of the residential building in Sintra, Lisbon district, resulted in 12 injuries due to smoke inhalation, with seven treated on-site and five transported to Hospital Fernando Fonseca, including two PSP officers.
The local socialist leader monitored the situation alongside Marco Almeida, the municipal council president, who assured that social action services would provide support to the deceased’s family if needed.
“All injured have been discharged, are out of danger, and have returned to their homes and duties,” Almeida noted, further confirming that the condominium has full municipal support to resolve issues such as cleaning, and no residents were displaced.
An official from the municipality reported that the deceased was a 76-year-old man, and Almeida has communicated with residents and condominium administrators to ensure necessary support.
João Raminhos, commander of the Agualva-Cacém volunteer firefighters, detailed that upon arrival, the firefighters engaged directly with the intense fire on the eighth floor, where it was reported that a person was trapped inside the apartment.
Raminhos further noted that the cause of the fire, which started in the apartment’s bedroom, remains unknown. The alert was issued at 03:57.
The fire remained confined to the eighth floor, though at least one window on the floor above sustained damage.
The resident of the ninth floor inhaled a significant amount of smoke and was hospitalized, but Helena Cardoso confirmed that all residents have returned home.
“The parish council is monitoring the building to provide any support post-insurance assessment,” Cardoso assured, offering to assist residents with cleaning and furniture removal.
Municipal services and the parish council are supporting residents, including with repairs to doors broken open to alert them of the fire.
The response effort involved 32 operatives from the Cacém, Queluz, and Algueirão fire departments, with support from 13 vehicles, as well as personnel from the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM), the Municipal Civil Protection Service, and the PSP, in addition to the Judicial Police.
