A 43-year-old man has been arrested by the Judiciary Police on suspicion of starting three forest fires in Vila Real, the police force announced today.
The man is alleged to be responsible for igniting three forest fires in the area on Monday morning, which “consumed patches of forest, mainly composed of mixed stands of maritime pine and various species of broadleaf trees,” according to a statement from the Judiciary Police.
“The incidents endangered a vast forest area, as well as several urban buildings of considerable value, which were spared thanks to the prompt detection and swift intervention of firefighting resources, including firefighters, elements of the GNR, and several aerial units,” emphasized the Judiciary Police.
The arrest was carried out by the Vila Real Criminal Investigation Department, in collaboration with the Northern Zone Rural Ignition Reduction Task Force.
The detainee is to be brought before a judicial interrogation to determine possible preventive measures.
