Man detained after camping gas canister thrown into vegetation in Oliveira do Hospital
A 44-year-old man has been taken into custody after witnesses reported seeing him throw a lit camping gas canister into dry vegetation in the Oliveira do Hospital municipality. The incident, which occurred on the evening of Monday, 28 September, was quickly contained before it could spread.
According to the Territorial Command of Coimbra of the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR), witnesses at the scene confronted the suspect after seeing him launch the flaming canister. The man refused to extinguish the flames when challenged.
Fire controlled before emergency services arrived
The incident was logged at approximately 18h00 in the Ervedal da Beira area, near the Açude da Ribeira. Following an emergency call to 112, the woman accompanying the suspect went to the vegetation and managed to put out the flames before any emergency response units reached the site.
The Bombeiros Voluntários de Lagares da Beira were dispatched to the location. Upon arrival, they confirmed the fire was already extinguished, and no firefighting intervention was required.
Suspect presented himself at GNR station
Following on-site inquiries by GNR officers, the suspect went voluntarily to the Oliveira do Hospital Territorial Post, where he was detained on suspicion of the crime of forest fire. He remained in GNR custody awaiting his first judicial interrogation at the Coimbra Juízo de Instrução Criminal.
Under Portugal's Penal Code, specifically Article 274º, causing a forest fire carries a prison sentence of 1 to 8 years. Penalties increase to 3 to 12 years if the act creates danger to human life or causes significant property damage. Even in cases of negligence, prison terms can reach up to 5 years if there is risk to persons or high-value property.
Context of forest fire risk in the region
Oliveira do Hospital, located in the district of Coimbra, has been affected by rural fires in recent months. The Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas has produced emergency stabilisation reports for fires in this municipality and neighbouring areas. Residents should note that preventing or hindering firefighting efforts also constitutes a crime, punishable by 1 to 8 years in prison.
The case remains with the judicial authorities.
