Miguel Albuquerque, head of Madeira’s regional government, said the three died early this morning in two houses that were badly burned. Over 200 patients were evacuated from a small hospital as a precaution and a five-star hotel was burnt to the ground.
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Eight firefighters required medical treatment after inhaling smoke as high winds fanned the blaze.
A man gestures as house burns as a wildfire spreads at Bom Sucesso in Funchal, Madeira island, Portugal, August 9, 2016.
Around 3,000 firefighters are trying to extinguish more than 500 forest fires across Portugal.
Firefighters worked through the night training jets of water high onto the orange flames against the dark night sky in Funchal’s narrow streets to try to protect its historic heart.
The National Civil Protection Service reported 14 major wildfires burning out of control in mainland Portugal where nearly 4,500 firefighters were in action in a massive operation, supported by 28 water-dumping aircraft and 1,300 vehicles.
The island, off the northwest coast of Africa, is a popular tourist destination that attracts more than a million visitors each year.
A wildfire that is spreading across the Portuguese island of Madeira has already claimed the lives of three people. One person was missing, Albuquerque said.
Those who evacuated were taken to an army barracks, a football stadium, and a civic centre on the island.
Firefighters said steep hills and dense woods have made it hard to fight the flames.
Portuguese Premier Antonio Costa has announced the deployment of military reinforcements from Lisbon and the government has activated the European Union emergency plan, securing assistance from two spanish and one Italian firefighting planes.
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Authorities hope that cooler temperatures forecast for Wednesday can help bring the blaze under control.
