Caramulo nursing home fire forces evacuation of elderly residents

A fire at the Lar da Boa Esperança nursing home in Caramulo, located in the Tondela municipality, forced the evacuation of approximately 45 to 46 elderly residents on Wednesday morning.

The fire was reported at 08:05 in the parish of Guardão. Emergency response efforts involved 93 personnel and 34 vehicles. While the fire was eventually contained to technical areas of the building, several individuals required medical attention. Reports indicate that at least three elderly residents and one staff member were treated for smoke inhalation, with some being transported to the hospital.

Carla Antunes Borges, the President of the Tondela Municipality, confirmed that the residents have been relocated. Many were initially moved to the Caramulo E.B. 2,3 school before being transferred to permanent housing. Due to the high number of residents with reduced mobility or dementia, specialized care was required during the relocation. Some residents were placed in other units within the Viseu district under Social Security protocols, while others were moved to the Casa de Saúde São Mateus in Tondel. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.