Large fire on Paul da Serra

A fire started this morning on Paul da Serra near to the hotel Pico da Urze, causing some panic with people in the area, which were mainly tourists.

The fire took hold quickly, and only 50 meters from the road. 

Fire fighters from Calheta and forest guards were on the scene quickly. 

Photo Duarte Nuno

22% of Funchal damaged by fire

The news this week showed that 8% of Madeira suffered fire damage and 22% of Funchal was burnt by fire.

A blog reader, and popular name on the German forums (WAUZIH)  sent me a map he has put together showing which parts of Funchal were affected by fire.

 This shows that most of the tourist areas are unaffected especially hotels, and all tourist attractions are running as normal. Some levada walk are closed and you can check these HERE

WAUZIH has sent me another map of the fire damage on the West of the Island. This covers the areas in Ponta do Sol and Calheta zones.

Calheta / Ponta do Sol

Campanario

Caring Vet

Caring vet offers free consultations for animals caught up in Madeira fires

IN NEWS · 11-08-2016 14:38:00 · 0 COMMENTS

A vet in Madeira is offering free consultations for animals that have been caught up in the devastating fires that ravaged the island for most of this week.

Andreia Araújo posed a message on her Facebook page offering consultations free of charge for animals that have been burnt or affected by smoke inhalation.
Leaving her mobile number on the social network site Ms. Araújo stressed the situation on the island was one of “terror”, and that it was her duty to help where she could, encouraging all owners with animals in danger to visit the clinic where she works.
The veterinarian also warned that the Protection Society for Funchal Pets had been forced to release the animals in its care as the flames encroached on its installations in Funchal.
“That or the animals would have perished” she explained, appealing for the public’s help in catching and recovering the animals, adding “there are numerous animals running disorientated around Funchal. Animals that are scared, mistrusting; animals that don’t know how to be on the streets by themselves. We need your help.”

Taken from The Portugal News

Fire News Updates Wednesday.

Morning all.

I will try to keep all of today's news updates on this one post,  So you will have to keep checking back on this post during the day.

The fires of Madeira made the BBC Worlds News last night.

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It is believed that maybe 3 people have died in the fires in the Pena area of Funchal.

1 is confirmed to be an elderly woman who was bed ridden when her home was taken by fire, and still waiting for confirmation of  possibly 2 more victims.

This has now been confirmed that 3 people died in this area of Pena on Rua Silvestre Quintino de Freitas

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Choupana Hills the popular hotel resort in the high area of Funchal with the same name, was totally taken by fire during the night.

A photo of the now Choupana Hills Resort.

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Diario fromt page Fire from top to bottom.

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The centre of Funchal remains closed, the president want no one to go into work in the centre of Funchal while fire and other emergency services are doing their job.

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Calheta has woken this morning to several fires in the high areas. Fire crews are at the scene.

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A blog reader has sent me this information.

A friend of mine who lives at Madeira has told me, that the orchid gardens of Quinta dos Saltos and also the „Jardim Orchidea“ at Monte are destroyed by fire.

(this is still not confirmed)

TAP has announced to do some special flights by larger A 330 to bring the waiting passsengers to Lisbon.

Just at this moment the first one is on approach to FNC (see attached picture)

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Some photos of the fire damage in Funchal last night where 3 people lost their lives.

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A Go Fund Site has been set up by Richard Griffin who lives on the island of Guernsey and has many Madeiran friends living over there, and they want to help raise some money for the charities on Madeira.

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Madeira in the News

Reports on some other news websites. Guardian  Mirror  Mail Online  The Independent

Telegraph   Metro  Sydney Morning Herald  The Sun  Times  ITV news

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A large fire has started at São João Latrão near the Campo Nacional.

The fire is is getting larger at alarming proportions, and a house near by has already been evacuated.

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Help Needed 

Items are presently being collected for people who have lost their homes. This will be Collected In conjunction with the English Church in Funchal Clothing is in plentiful supply and they are always very grateful for it, but what they really need is UNDERWEAR. Big knickers...old lady drawers. Old men y-fronts....preferably unworn and without stains.lol.lol.lol.🙂 It's the one thing that never gets donated. So if you can just take the time to go out and buy a pair of knickers for some OAPs and post to Madeira, it would be very much appreciated. For the address to send to, please message me, and for those presently on the island a drop in collection at the park opposite the Ritz in Funchal on a Tuesday, can be organised. Also, new socks and vests are very much appreciated .

If you can help in anyway please email Janice at tootspemberton@yahoo.co.uk

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Following the fires in Calheta, at present there are huge concerns with the local business park. This is because the flames are over 50 meters high at Engenho Novo Madeira, where 200,000 litres of Madeira rum is stored.

People have said this is a bomb waiting to go off and hope firefighters can get it under control before that happens.

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More Troops have arrived the Airforce and National Guard from Lisbon.

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New fires broke out above Canico in Eires, and spread towards Camacha, also fire was reported to be spreading up on Paul do Serra, with the road being closed.

Also a fire in Santa Cruz in the zone Carreiras was being dealt with by firefighters.

Municipal Fire Department Santa Cruz were today called to help a 64 year old man who suffered a cardiac arrest while trying to put out a fire in the area of ​​Canico. After several resuscitation attempts the victim was transported by ambulance to the Hospital Dr. Nelio Mendonca, accompanied by the Medical Team Rapid Intervention (EMIR).

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The silence from Cristiano Ronaldo on the news in Madeira has upset many, and they are questioning the star on his official CR7 social pages about the situation. 

Madeira is news all over the world, but the footballer born in San Antonio and millions of fans on social networks around the world, has not yet made any comment on the tragedy. Maybe its time to rethink the Airport Name.
However, the mother Dolores Aveiro and sister Katia Aveiro have published regret reactions and solidarity for what happened

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Some areas in Quinta Grande (Camara de Lobos) have been without water since Saturday. THe tanks are empty, and a fire truck which was helping with water, but since returned to Funchal and has not returned.

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An image from Nasa shows the extent of the Smoke from Madeira.

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The suspect who is thought to have started the fire in Sao Roque Funchal is in court, and has been told to expect the maximum of 25 years in jail.

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Cristiano Ronaldo phoned this afternoon the President of the Madeira Regional Government to provide solidarity to the people of Madeira and to wish a speedy recovery of losses suffered.

According to the Diario  the Madeiran Footballer spoke directly with Miguel Albuquerque, probably feeling a bit guilty after seeing the news that people are upset with his silence, especially after he was only in Madeira 2 weeks ago, to open his new hotel. 

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Madeira Fire Updates

I'm struggling to keep on top of all the news coming in, but here are a few updates.

I know from one blog reader that the Quinta do Monte hotel was evacuated and guests moved to other hotels for safety.

The fire in Canhas seems to be under control, but has damaged restaurant ‘O Buteco da Serra’, formaly known as restaurant ‘A Cancela.

This image shows a bus being consumed by flames, I'm not sure if this was parked at the depot and had started there, there is a link to VIDEO HERE.

More than 20 flights have been diverted or cancelled from 4pm yesterday (Monday) due to the strong winds, some flights have managed to land today, but many were just cancelled altogether.

Two firemen have been injured when a fire engine over turned in the area of Monte. 

Dr. João de Almada Hospital will be evacuated due to the fire that is spreading in the high areas of Funchal.

It is known by now that patients will be transferred to the School Horacio Bento de Gouveia (Cruz de Carvalho), close to Hospital Dr. Nelio Mendonca.

It seems many homes have been damaged by fires and the president of Madeira has said an emergency fund will be put into place to help the victims.

Lots of other fires have also broke out round the island, people are concerned that fire fighters are not getting to these areas quick enough, but all is being done and the services are stretched to maximum, there are 4 main fires that need attention first, and smaller fires that do not run the risk of coming close to houses take second place. No loss of life has been reported.

Everything seems to be under control at the moment the Prime minister of Portugal Antonio Costa has been kept up to date with the situation, and offered help with more fire fighters from the Mainland, at the moment this has not been needed. 

The mayor of Funchal has said that there is no shortage of water for domestic consumption, and municipal waste collection has been cancelled due to the many road closures.

The news had made it over to euro news and world news on the internet, HERE and HERE

Fires are also raging on the mainland of Portugal, where the smoke can be seen from space.

The Aida cruise ship had difficulty leaving Funchal this morning.

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

New Fires

The fire in Sao Roque is now under control, but new fires have broken out nearby, and at least 10 people have had to leave their homes.

Today's temperature in Funchal hit 37 degrees, and everywhere is so dry.

A new fire has started in the valley of Santo Antonio, and a tyre factory in this area is on fire.

This news is just coming in now.

 I will try to give some more updates as the evening goes on. 

Update 20.45

£ houses have been damaged in the Lonbo dos Aguiares area of Sao Roque.
The residents of two houses will need re-housing, and the 3rd home seems to belong to immigrants who are away from the island.

Another fire has broken out behind the cemetery of Santo Antonio. It looks like it could be a long night for many in Madeira tonight including all the emergency services.
Hope you all can stay safe.

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.