The fire alert was given at 9:50 pm on Wednesday and “arose following a problem in the engine of a light vehicle that was in the parking lot”, explained a source from the Matosinhos-Leça Volunteer Fire Department.

“[The engine] exploded and spilled oil onto the ground, and the hot oil vapors and smoke triggered the alarm”, added the same source, stressing that no combustion occurred.

As a precaution, customers and employees were removed from the commercial space, stressing that the remaining stores in the shopping centre were not affected.

The incident caused no injuries and the situation was quickly resolved, said the same source.