Three firefighters have been injured while tacking a huge blaze at the Celtejo paper mill in Vila Velha de Ródão in the Castelo Branco district
The fire broke out on Sunday afternoon and water deliveries from two helicopters attempting to control the flames.
According to operational command in Castelo Branco, the fire broke out in pile of wood chips next to the Celtejo plant, quickly spreading along a conveyor belt system.
The company hit the headlines earlier this year for the primary role played by its Bleached Eucalyptus Kraft Pulp unit in polluting the Tagus river by dumping cellulose effluent in quantities higher than allowed under the terms of its license.
The fire alarm was given on Sunday at 13:59 and by 16:30, the blaze was being fought by about 90 firefighters, supported by 39 vehicles and airborne water drops to try and stop sparks spreading the fire to adjoining areas.
Three firefighters have been taken to Amato Lusitano Hospital in Castelo Branco, according to Civil Defence. One firemn has burns and two were suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.
The civil protection commander, Pedro Nunes, said that a CESNA plane flew over the site, at 2:00 p.m., "in order to understand the size of the fire and assist in the decisions on the ground, such as the mobilization of firefighters to the area."
The causes of the fire are not yet known.
