More than 50 people were evacuated from their homes in Curral das Freiras last night due to the large fire that now has two active fronts in this parish, in the areas of Terra Chã and Seara Velha.
Manuel Salustino, president of the Curral das Freiras Parish Council, admitted that “the worst was indeed confirmed” and that Curral was surrounded by fire.
The residents were directed to the Church area and then went to the Curral das Freiras pavilion.
“So far, I am not aware of any houses being hit. We made the decision to go in even though we knew there was no way out. We tried to save people and many animals were also saved, but we had a defined escape route, which was the old footpath that connects Terra Chã de cima to Terra Chã de baixo,” he explained, adding that for now the fire is calmer, but that Curral is “covered in smoke.”