The PJ announced that its Leiria Criminal Investigation Department, supported by the Central Coastal Region Ignition Reduction Task Force, detained a 31-year-old suspect on Wednesday.
The PJ reported that the forest fires occurred on June 26 and July 1, 17, and 19.
“The suspect set the fires using delay-action devices in an area with a vast forest cover, populated with maritime pines, oaks, eucalyptus, and underbrush, with several residential clusters and commercial complexes nearby,” the statement explained.
The PJ noted that “the burned area was considerable,” also highlighting that “without the rapid and effective intervention of local firefighters, the fires could have had more severe consequences.”
The investigation suspects the firefighter is responsible for other forest fires in the same municipality of the Santarém district, based on the spatial-temporal pattern and method of operation.
The accused, a resident of the Ourém area, has no criminal record and will be brought before the competent judicial authority for the possible application of other coercion measures.
A source from the PJ’s Central Directorate, based in Coimbra, told the Lusa agency that investigators believe the accused made the devices used, based on the objects seized during the searches.
The same source stated that the suspect’s actions were likely motivated by the financial benefits of being activated to combat fires.
The detention was supported by the Central Coastal Region Ignition Reduction Task Force, which includes the PJ, National Republican Guard, and the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests.
The commander of the Ourém Volunteer Firefighters, Guilherme Isidro, explained, “Following the investigation, the PJ carried out inquiries with a firefighter from this corporation and here at the corporation, regarding the firefighter’s personal belongings, which led to the arrest.”
“The corporation is always ready to cooperate with the authorities in their investigation and awaits the full clarification of the situation with composure,” stated Guilherme Isidro.
He clarified that the arrested firefighter has been a volunteer in the corporation for six years and is an employee of the Humanitarian Association of Ourém Volunteer Firefighters.
“During this period, he has always fulfilled his duties,” assured the commander.
