Madeira Fires Update Thursday.

Its been a restless night in Calheta, as fires moved on to Prezeres.

homes were close to the fires and residents said it was a night of hell, and took to social media asking why there weren't more resources in the area.

The weather has improved a lot over night, with cooler temperatures, a huge drop in wind, but still the government say they cant rule out more fires in any area of the island. 

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The suspect for starting the fire in Sao Roque remains in custody, and another 4 people have also been identified.

yesterday a jerrycan full of petrol was found in Paul da Serra. 

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The 3 active fires over night into this morning are in  São João Latrão, in the upper zone of São Gonçalo (Funchal), in Câmara de Lobos  and in Calheta.

150 homes have been destroyed in the fires making them unfit for use, and over 3000 people have been displaced including tourists.

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The president Albuquerque has said they will again look into aircraft for fighting the fires.

This has been discussed many times in the past and has divided opinions as to the true effectiveness of such an action against the orography of the island.

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A beautiful image captured by Miguel Moniz of a common plant to the island, already popping up through the ashes.

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The hugely popular festival in Monte, Nossa Senhora do Monte, one of the largest religious festivals on the island will be cancelled due to the situation in Madeira.

The festival normally runs for a week with the 14-15 August being the main dates for the festival.

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Very sad to hear that houses that have been evacuated are being targeted for robbery, some people left their doors and windows open in the panic to leave the property.

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.

Large fire in Canhas

The president Miguel Albuquerque is on his way to Canhas  (Ponta do Sol) where a large fire is reported, people have also heard large explosions in the area.

More updates on this as it comes in.

Heavy traffic on the motorways into Funchal this morning as people look at the smoke billowing from the hillsides of the city.