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. ================================================================================== 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. ================================================================ |
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
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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.
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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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