“We managed to send seven to Santa Casa da Misericórdia, which has made some beds available. The rest will stay here, where nursing home services and staff providing assistance are present, along with our social action team,” explained Mayor Helena Lapa.
The Mayor of Sabrosa was speaking near the Mercado dos Produtos Durienses in Paços, where an improvised reception area was established to accommodate the residents of São Martinho de Anta home.
“Conditions were created for an emergency situation,” she stated, adding that this was the most concerning case resulting from the fire, which began at 2:30 PM on Saturday in São Cibrão, Vila Real, and spread to Sabrosa.
Helena Lapa indicated that the residents could return to the home tonight, but “as a matter of prudence and prevention, especially because of the smoke,” they will remain in the market building.
Volunteers from the Association Just a Change are on-site helping to recover three houses in the municipality.
By midnight, according to the Civil Protection, the fire in Sabrosa had two active fronts, involving 273 operatives and 91 vehicles.
The same source further mentioned that reinforcements are expected during the night and “there are no populations and homes in danger.”
“Efforts to combat the fire continue, with the hope that the night will be favorable to its resolution,” it added.
The fire alert was given at 2:30 PM on Saturday, and the cause of the fire is already under investigation by the Judicial Police of Vila Real.
Starting today and until Thursday, mainland Portugal will be under alert due to the high risk of wildfire in the coming days, announced the Minister of Internal Administration on Saturday.
“Given the worsening weather forecasts that indicate a significant risk of rural fire, the Government decided to declare an alert situation across mainland territory,” announced Maria Lúcia Amaral, in a national address, without taking questions.
The alert situation has already come into effect and will last until 11:59 PM on Thursday, August 7.
The alert comes into effect from midnight and extends until 11:59 PM on Thursday, August 7.
Carolina Pereira Soares with Lusa | 13:06 – 02/08/2025
