Father and teenage son both seriously injured
Portugal’s criminal investigation police, the PJ, are investigating the cause of an explosion early this morning in a house in Vila Nova de Milfontes, near Odemira, which left two people (a mother and her nine-year-old daughter) dead, and two others (the father and his 13-year-old son) seriously injured.
A team of inspectors from the Portimão criminal investigation department travelled to the scene after being contacted by first responders.
According to a source from the Alentejo Litoral Sub-Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command, firefighters were alerted at 8:29am.
The property where the explosion occurred was home to the family, said the commander of the Vila Nova de Milfontes Volunteer Fire Brigade, Maria João Guerreiro.
The fire brigade commander revealed that the dead woman was aged 48.
The son was stabilised at the scene by a medical team and airlifted to Dona Estefânia Hospital in Lisbon, added Maria João Guerreiro.
The 54-year-old father was also stabilised and airlifted, ventilated, to the Burns Unit of Coimbra Hospital and University Centre (CHUC).
Contacted by Lusa, mayor of Odemira, Hélder Guerreiro, said the house affected belonged to a Portuguese family, and was located in Brunheiras, in the northern part of Vila Nova de Milfontes.
The source from the Alentejo Litoral Sub-Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command acknowledged that the explosion was “possibly caused by a gas leak.”
A team of 56 operatives, 19 vehicles and two aircraft from the fire brigade, GNR and INEM were initially mobilised.
Commentary over Facebook confirms the ‘gas leak’ theory, with one commentator stressing: “Attention to anyone who keeps gas (cylinders) inside the home: tubes that appear to be in good condition are subject to ‘expiry dates’”.
Early reports referred to the bodies of the mother and daughter not having been found until 11am, suggesting at the level of destruction caused by the explosion.
Source material: LUSA/ Facebook
