The man suspected of causing the fire that killed three people in Funchal in August 2016 was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Thursday 6th July 2017. He was sentenced after being found guilty of the crimes of (arson) aggravated forest fire and gross negligent homicide.
The Court proved the facts and considered that the defendant wilfully and freely set fire to the forest less than 100 meters of houses in the upper part of the parish of São Roque, in Funchal, in a situation of high temperatures, low humidity and strong winds, conscious of what he was doing.
The accused was sentenced to 12 years for the crime of causing the forest fire and three years for the crime of gross negligent homicide. He will serve a sentence of 14 years.
It was also understood that the accused did not act to cause the deaths, but his negligence leading to the deaths was considered by the court sufficient for gross negligence, which “covers the other deaths,” explained the judge.
The group of judges sent to the civil court the resolution of damages that exceed 100 thousand euros.
The man, who on August 10, 2016, in the first judicial interrogation, began by confessing to have set fire, claiming to be under the influence of alcohol.
The defendant is suspected of having set fire to a forest area that, due to weather conditions – high temperatures (37 degrees Celsius), dry weather and strong winds (70 degrees Celsius) on August 8 in the parish of São Roque near Funchal. Kilometers) – has spread to a large area of the county.
The next day, fire struck areas in central Funchal and three women died in their homes.
This fire caused hundreds of displaced persons and material losses evaluated in 157 million euros by the Regional Government of Madeira.
- Marcelo recalls that Portugal has already supported the United Kingdom in difficult times
- Weekly Crime Report ending 3rd July 2020
- Covid-19: EU reopens borders to 15 countries, USA and Brazil still excluded
- Portugal and Spain signal reopening of border on Wednesday
- PRIME MINISTER UNVEILS NEW MEASURES FOLLOWING THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING
- President speaks after the meeting with experts to assess the epidemiological situation of covid-19 in Portugal, at Infarmed.
- 2019 crime reports shows slight increases in violent and overall crime compared to 2018
- RURAL FIRE NEAR VILARINHA, BORDEIRA, ALJEZUR
- Weekly crime prevention and enforcement report 19th June
- Government today approved a one-month extension of the simplified lay-off, until the end of July,
- Marking three years since the Pedrógão Grande fire that caused 66 deaths
- Two of the people infected with covid-19 following an illegal party in Lagos are hospitalised
- Ban on Flights to and from outside of EU extended to last day of June
- Strike at CTT starts at midnight at central post offices
