A PSP source indicated that the man had “purposefully spread gasoline” around the house, following “an ongoing eviction action” by the Housing and Urban Rehabilitation Institute.
A 67-year-old man was arrested this Tuesday by the PSP on suspicion of having caused a fire in the residence where he lives, in Elvas, Portalegre district, a source from that police force told the Lusa agency.
The source of explained that the man had “purposely spread gasoline” around the house, following “an ongoing eviction action” by the Institute of Housing and Urban Rehabilitation (), entity that owns the property.
The same source added that the eviction action was scheduled for this Thursday.
Following the fire, the man suffered minor injuries from smoke inhalation and was transported to Elvas Hospital for assistance, but already under arrest.
Source from the Alto Alentejo Sub-Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command told Lusa that the firewhich took place on Rua João Franco do Vale, in the neighborhood of São Pedro, spread to every room in the house.
The same source added that the fire alert was given to firefighters at 9:50 am.
15 firefighters from Elvas and PSP were involved in the relief operations, assisted by seven vehicles.
