“The restriction on bathing at Pastoras beach, announced yesterday [Tuesday] by the Maritime Authority, has been lifted following the incident at Ribeira da Granja caused by the fire at Auto Sueco, in the business district of Porto,” the municipal company said in a statement.

Contacted by Lusa, the captain of the port and local commander of the Douro and Leixões Maritime Police explained that on Tuesday, one day after the fire at the Nors group (Auto Sueco), he received an alert stating that there was something in the water that could be material from the fire and a tactical team was sent to the location.

However, after analysing the material, it was found that it was a false alert, said Silva Lampreia.

This is why there is no limit or restriction on swimming at the beach now.

Silva Lampreia also said that bathing and recreational fishing remain prohibited as a precaution between the cement pier and the mouth of the Douro due to the presence of material from the fire.

“We are assessing the level of danger of that material,” he said.

The local commander of the Douro and Leixões Maritime Police expects to have results by Friday.

On Monday, the fire that broke out at the Nors group complex mobilized more than 100 operatives to the site, supported by 45 vehicles from the three fire departments of the Porto municipality, Matosinhos, Maia, Pedrouços and Areosa – Rio Tinto.

The alert for the fire was given at 1:38 pm and was declared “completely extinguished” at 6:30 pm.

The fire destroyed the facilities of Auto Sueco Portugal, Aftermarket Portugal, and Amplitude Seguros, companies in the Nors group.