Speaking to Lusa, the commander of the Merceana Volunteer Firefighters, Nuno Santos, said that at 10:15 am, there were still 32 operatives on site, supported by 11 vehicles and two machines to remove the “burnt material”.

“We are consolidating, still with some aftermath from some hot spots, but we hope to demobilise within an hour [11 am], with the work completed,” said Nuno Santos.

The commander said that when firefighters arrived at the factory, shortly after the alert was given at 2am, “there was no one on site, but as time passed, the owners arrived”.

Nuno Santos also said that it was an old ceramics factory that was currently not being used for that purpose, but as a “warehouse for various activities”.

The causes of the fire, which did not cause any casualties, have not yet been determined, according to the official, who added that the police authorities have already been called.

The damage caused by the fire at the factory, which has several warehouses, is not yet fully known.