37 PERISH IN FOREST FIRE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31161, 10 September 1966, Page 15

37 PERISH IN FOREST FIRE

(N.Z P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) SINTRA (Portugal), Sept. 9.

About 4000 firefighters succeeded early today in con-'-trolling a giant forest blaze near Sintra in which 37 soldiers died.

The charred bodies were found last night in a dense part of the forest overlooking this holiday resort 12 miles west of Lisbon after the fire had raged for 48 hours, an Army spokesman said. Masses of troops and civilians were mobilised to help firemen to tackle the flames on the mountain slopes. Firemen said the blaze was brought under control just before dawn. But they warned

of a flare-up. Strong winds could stir up smouldering areas.

A village and the historic castle of Pena —former summer home of Portuguese kings would be endangered if this occurred.

An army officer said the

soldiers were thought to have died about dawn yesterday. A search was launched after they were reported missing from a roll call. A fireman said the soldiers had raced to the top of a hill after their cars caught fire. But a sudden change in the wind threw the blaze in their direction. They tried to retrace their steps but the advancing fire had cut them off and they were encircled by flames. “I have been a fireipan for 26 years but I have never seen anything so horrible.”

A local radio reporter said 10 of the bodies were found embraced as if the men clung to each other in despair. Other bodies were found without clothing and shoes, which had probably been ripped off as they caught alight. Rabbits fleeing through the dry undergrowth with their fur coats ablaze are thought to have helped spread the fire. Experts say it will be 50 years before the forest—mainly pine and eucalyptus trees —regains its former luxuriant vegetation.