A gas leak is believed to be behind the tragic explosion that killed a 78-year-old man, injured his wife and destroyed their house in Portela Alta de Baixo, Castro Marim yesterday (March 8).
Neighbours say the explosion was so strong that “it seemed like an earthquake”, while some reported hearing it as far as three kilometres away in Azinhal.
“Everything was shaking,” neighbour Fernanda Gonçalves told Correio da Manhã tabloid.
Authorities believe the explosion happened when the victim, António Casimiro Vaz, got up in the morning to make breakfast, with the presumption being that gas accumulated in the kitchen overnight.
The blast was so powerful that the pensioner is said to have died right away, while his wife escaped the worst of it as she was still in bed in another room.
One neighbour described how he and two others put out the fire that started in the house due to the explosion and rescued the woman, 73-year-old Odília Vaz.
“She was conscious and didn’t seem to have injuries, but she kept calling for her husband,” said António Gonçalves.
The woman was taken to Faro Hospital, while GNR and PJ police inspected the scene for clues.
Castro Marim mayor Francisco Amaral was also at the site, telling reporters that he was surprised by the power of the blast, which sent debris flying as far as 100 metres away.
michael.bruxo@algarveresident.com
