A 44-year-old man was arrested by the Polícia Judiciária (PJ) on Wednesday, suspected of setting fire to a stage truck during the Festas de Nossa Senhora do Rosário e Mártir São Sebastião in Alvendre, in the Guarda district.
An official statement released on Thursday revealed that the incident occurred on Sunday. The suspect, reportedly under the influence of alcohol and medication, behaved inappropriately towards one of the dancers performing there and was asked to leave the festival grounds.
Dissatisfied with the situation and driven by futile motives, the suspect allegedly took cover underneath the stage during the musical group’s performance and set fire to protective foam and packaging materials of the musical instruments and equipment stored there, as detailed by the PJ.
As a result of the fire, three spectators were hospitalized at the Hospital da Guarda due to smoke inhalation.
Although financial damages are estimated at over 200,000 euros so far, other consequences, such as harm to material goods and threats to the lives of attendees, were averted thanks to the prompt actions of the sound technicians and spectators. They utilized fire extinguishers to prevent the fire from spreading further.
In addition to the three individuals who required hospital treatment, the suspect also sustained injuries, suffering burns to his arms and face. The alleged perpetrator of arson, explosions, and other dangerous acts was discharged from the Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Coimbra yesterday afternoon.
The detained individual is scheduled for a preliminary court hearing, where appropriate coercive measures will be determined.
