The union leader, César Nogueira, told Lusa News Agency that on 17 June, when the fire began the SIRESP communication system was “constantly failing” and the officers could not use their own mobile phones because the was no signal.

He also said that on the afternoon of the fire in Pedrógão Grande there were only two officers in a ca rand one at the police station, just like in the two other districts that were also affected (Figueiró dos Vinhos and Castanheira de Pera).

César Nogueira said the lack of resources was normal across the country since half the officers were on desk jobs.

He told reporters that the police refused to be the scape goats and felt they were being unfairly treated as if they alone were responsible for 47 deaths on the fatal road.

The wild fires that broke out in the centre of Portugal a week ago on Saturday killed 64 and injured another 200, before finally being put out a week later.