Emergency plan being put into place.

The president and members of the Municipal of Funchal are gathering for a meeting this morning to put a plan of emergency into place.

Over night things seem to have worsened. Thousands of passengers have be stuck in the airport over night as strong winds forced many flights to be cancelled, the winds are expected to be worse today, so this could well lead into another day of airport closure and cancelled flights.

Nelio sent these photos at 02.45 am

Fires gained strength over night. The fire in Sao Roque started spreading again and moving closer to houses, a temporary shelter that was put up for people whos homes were affected had to be evacuated and people moved further away.

The hospital Marmeleiros at Monte this morning was evacuated, more to the reason of smoke and fumes in the area. All workers from the Hospital have been called to an emergency meeting at the main Hospital Dr Nelio Mendonca in Funchal this morning. 

More than 200 people in the Military area by Nazare have been moved, the fire has devastated the slope of Fundoa and also burnt some houses.

From 4am an operation was put in place to remove the buses Horários do Funchal from their location in Fundoa as a precaution as the fire was close to the facilities.

All news and photos from the Diario Noticias

Man arrested for starting the fire in Sao Roque

This is just copied straight from the Diario, or I will never get to bed tonight.

The alleged perpetrator of the fire that broke out in the mountains of Sao Roque has been arrested and awaits the first Judicial interrogation the Judicial police have said.

The same source said that "the prompt action of the police allowed to get near the site of ignition, and talk with the locals, it was easy to get to the suspect."

The man, 24, "has a criminal record" by arson, the source said PJ, adding that it "was delivered to the prison service Cancela, Camacha by security forces."

The President of the Regional Government of Madeira had already stated there are indications that the fire at the parish of San Roque was "arson" and that this possibility was being investigated by the Judicial Police.

The fire broke out today around 15:30 in São Roque, having two houses were destroyed by the flames.

The fire also hit a tire trade warehouse, causing the explosion of two fuel oil tanks.

The pavilion of Sports of San Roque Club is hosting the displaced or affected by the fire and it is there that are being provided the first support

Fires continue

The fires continue to burn, and the situation has worsened above Sao Roque with the fire gaining strength again. I don't know if the winds are still strong, if they are then there could be many problems during the night. Around 10 homes have been affected by fire now in the Sao Roque area. 

Thoughts with everyone involved and please stay safe. 

The photo below from Sofia Ferreira shows the view from her house in Canhas, Ponta do Sol this evening. 

The airport has also had many problems today with the wind, and has been closed this evening for a while. Thousands of passengers are stuck in the airport inside and outside, and I guess with it being August, hotel space is limited, so they probably will spend the night there.

Sao Roque Fire Update

The President of the Regional Government Miguel Albuquerque, the Regional Secretary of Inclusion and Social Affairs Rubina Leal, and the head of Civil Protection Luis Nery, have confirmed the fire has damaged properties and people are having to leave their homes.

Photos taken from Monte looking towards Sao Roque.

Eduardo Barros Abreu‎

Rafael Freitas has sent me these two photos of the fire just as it started, and after a couple of hours.

Another Photo has been sent in by Piotr Laube who could see the smoke from Canical, on the far East of the island.

Large Fire in Sao Roque

A fire has broken out in Sao Roque, and strong winds are making it difficult to contain. 

The fire is spreading fast and fire crews have been on the scene for some hours, residents are as well trying to dampen down and put out flames in a bid to protect their properties.