The hoses had been supplied as part of the “Condomínio de Aldeias” programme, but the community had warned at the time that the adapters would be necessary to connect them to Cabanões’ fire hydrants, explained 64-year-old resident Armando Francisco to Lusa.

“They were modern hoses, and we were told the adapters would be provided. They never arrived, and perhaps we could have saved much more,” he said.

Five hours before the fire started on 14 August in Candal reached Cabanões, Armando Francisco contacted the fire service to report the lack of adapters. However, he was told it was not their responsibility.

The following day, half a dozen residents who remained to defend the village were forced to rely on the town’s water supply until it ran out, using only the limited means available.

“Those 200 metres of hoses were useless. It could have been different; we could have watered every roof during the most dangerous period,” said Francisco, noting that the fire service only arrived in the village late in the evening, by which time the flames had already encircled the area around lunchtime.

He criticised the council: “The municipality implemented the programme, spent the money, and it failed when it was supposed to work.” His son, José Francisco, saw a house he was rebuilding destroyed in the blaze.

José Francisco also highlighted that, under the Condomínio de Aldeias initiative, there had been plans to clear vegetation around Cabanões. Some undergrowth was removed, but no trees were cut within the 100-metre perimeter surrounding the village.

An official source from the Lousã Council told Lusa that the municipality is investigating the events that occurred in Cabanões.