Two suspects arrested for arson in Fontainebleau forest
French police have arrested two men suspected of starting fires in the historic Fontainebleau forest. One of the suspects, a local volunteer firefighter, admitted to igniting branches with a lighter and petrol.
Two suspects arrested for arson in Fontainebleau forest
French police have arrested two men suspected of starting forest fires near Fontainebleau château. The case was revealed on Wednesday by local prosecutor Diane Ngomsik, reports Novinky.cz.
The first suspect, a volunteer firefighter in the region, has confessed to the facts. He admitted to igniting brushwood with the help of a lighter and petrol. The second accused maintains his account of an accident caused by a cigarette thrown unintentionally. Both were born in 2007 and have no criminal record.
The fires, which broke out on Sunday at the edges of Fontainebleau, were not yet completely extinguished at the time of the announcement, although prefect Pierre Ory claimed they were under control. The largest fire destroyed approximately 1,600 hectares of vegetation, whilst a second fire ravaged 450 hectares.
The flames spread to only a few kilometres from Fontainebleau château, a hunting residence of the kings of France since the 16th century and a symbol of monarchical power under Francis I. To protect this listed site, the authorities mobilised aircraft and water-bombing helicopters. The fight against the fire mobilised considerable resources.
The consequences extended beyond the forest domain. The A6 motorway, which connects Paris to Lyon, was closed to traffic. Secondary fires also disrupted high-speed rail traffic in the area. Nearly 900 people had to be evacuated from their homes.
These events occur as France experiences a heatwave, creating conditions conducive to fire outbreaks. According to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, 2025 could become a record year for fires. Since the start of the year, 32,000 hectares have already burnt in France, surpassing the total of the previous year. Furthermore, police have already arrested 59 people on suspicion of arson this year, around half of whom are minors.
Source: Novinky.cz