One of Faro's youth hostals had to be evacuated on Friday as flames destroyed a room where a French guest was developing his unconventional cooking skills.
Twenty guests ended up on the street while firefighters from seven vehicles doused the fire in his room and broke down doors in other areas to check the fire had not spread.
The hostel will remain closed indefinitely as it is too damaged by fire and water easily to be reopened, according to the director of the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth in the Algarve.
Louis Romão said that the fire was caused by a young Frenchman who was cooking food when the fuel he was using flared out of control and set light to the room.
Fire command said the fire "was restricted to one room," but that it was necessary to evacuate the building.
Romão said the room was destroyed and that water damage and broken doors to other sleeping areas were a result of the firemen’s actions.
The hostel is operated by Movijovem and a damage assessment is being undertaken so see how much the repairs will cost.
It was possible to resettle the displaced guests in hostels in Faro and Tavira - the 24-year-old Frenchman confessed to having set light to his room, was arrested and carted off to jail pending a court appearance.
