A luxury resort near Tróia, Portugal, partially burned early Sunday morning, prompting a large response from fire crews and an investigation into the cause. The fire at the Na Praia resort, financed by Spanish heiress Sandra Ortega, began around 4:40 a.m. And was largely contained by 2:30 p.m., according to officials.
No injuries were reported in the blaze, which affected a hotel building still under final stages of construction. Approximately 90 firefighters and 35 vehicles from multiple regional fire departments, along with the National Republican Guard and Grândola’s municipal protection service, responded to the scene.
The resort, purchased by Ortega in 2016 from Sonae Capital for 50 million euros, was slated to open in June. It features 113 rooms, 45 suites, and five villas, with nightly rates starting at 1,350 euros.
José António Uva, the Portuguese promoter of the project, stated that “only one building of the hotel was partially affected” by the fire, impacting “some rooms” in the central area. “The rest of the enterprise, such as the individual lodging units, public areas, the restaurant and the service area, suffered no damage,” he added, acknowledging that the opening will be postponed.
“After the necessary assessment with public authorities and partners, we will start tomorrow the work to fully restore the affected area so that One can open the hotel as soon as possible,” Uva affirmed.
The project has faced previous controversy, including a legal challenge in 2023 from environmental group Dunas Livres, which cited potential ecological impacts and coastal risks. The group, supported by organizations like Quercus, Zero, and Geota, opposed the development due to concerns about its impact on local ecosystems, water resources, and the landscape. A court ultimately ruled against the injunction, partially influenced by a statement from the Grândola Municipal Council asserting the resort’s public interest for the municipality.
The construction followed Ortega’s purchase of three land plots totaling 340 hectares on the Tróia Peninsula, as reported by jornal Eco in 2016. Work began in 2021, and Ortega previously stated in interviews that the project also aimed to “requalify the environmental landscape.”
The Judiciary Police have launched an investigation to determine the origin of the fire, with investigators conducting forensic analysis at the site Sunday morning. The case highlights the challenges of balancing luxury tourism development with environmental preservation in ecologically sensitive areas.
