Portimao retail park destroyed by fire

[chaucer]

Fire broke out around 2.30 this morning - only the car repairs and restaurant section are unaffected

News report here http://sicnoticias.sapo.pt/incoming/201 ... etail-park

[cereza]

Thanks for the news Geoffrey. Amazing! I wonder what happened to the petrol garage? - there's no mention of that!

[laserblazer]

That's terrible news. Do they suspect arson? It's not going to help the economy.

[James Faro]

What an appalling event. There will be families having somebody working in there that depend on the wages that it brings in. There are estimates of 400 jobs that will be lost because of what has happened.

[laserblazer]

What an appalling event. There will be families having somebody working in there that depend on the wages that it brings in. There are estimates of 400 jobs that will be lost because of what has happened.

Hopefully, it will be rebuilt and that will be a boost for the construction industry. Doesn't help the current workers though.

[EMM]

Will it be re built, were all the stores there making money ?
If not will the companies just take the insurance money and leave their stores in ruin.?

[traveler]

What a loss, for them and for us.

[KenC]

Another report. It says the petrol sation was not affected.

http://www.algarveresident.com/47437-0/ ... s-to-ashes

[laserblazer]

One report claims it was a short-circuit in Da Borla.

[steve]

Passed there today around lunchtime on the way to Alvor. The petrol station looked unaffected as did the auto service place which stood to one side but the main run of buildings which included Continent, Decathalon etc looked totally burnt out. The rain had obviously helped damp things down but the emergency services were still there and there was a lot of smoke blowing across the EN 125. Disastrous for people who work there.

[smudger]

Oh dear, we'd bought many items from the various stores at this retail park. Our sons especially liked wandering round the sports shop while we did a sweep of the supermarket. Bang goes the loyalty card!! I felt a different centre from the Algarve Shopping Centre and the new Aqua Centre. On a positive note, no reports of loss of life or injuries.

[ceh]

What a shame - have spent many an hour (and euros) browsing in De Borla particularly when the weather@s cooler. It was probably fortunate that it was at night so no casualties.

[EMM]

One suggestion is that AKi, Decathelon. De Borla Movifloor and Continente could relocate to one of the other Portimao shopping centres or empty Leclerc stores.
Radio popular and Staples may just focus on their existing operations.
If it had happened in daytime the fire in de borla could have been bought under control and not spread to the others.

[joeysoap]

Shocked . We kitted a lot of the apt out with items from these shops, and it was great to be able to move from one to another without having to drive around. Staff in all the shops were friendly and informative. would a firewall between the premises have reduced the damage? I personally cannot see this retail park being rebuilt during the current recession, which is sad for the staff. Most retail shops appear to be cutting down on stock (Leroy excepted).

[traveler]

Anyone else thinking arson?