Six arrested after Fontainebleau forest fire, volunteer firefighter admits arson
Six people have been arrested in connection with the investigation into the Fontainebleau forest fire. A 19-year-old volunteer firefighter has admitted to deliberately starting the fire.
Six arrested after Fontainebleau forest fire, volunteer firefighter admits arson
Six people have been taken into police custody as part of the investigation into the fire that ravaged the Fontainebleau forest, in northern France. Among the suspects is a volunteer firefighter who has admitted to deliberately starting the blaze.
The 19-year-old young man confessed to setting the fire using a lighter and petrol in the commune of Arbonne-la-Forêt after being confronted with the initial investigation findings. A second suspect of the same age stated that he accidentally started a fire by throwing a cigarette butt. These two individuals are among the six people arrested by investigators.
Prosecutor Diane Ngomsik clarified that four other people have been arrested in connection with the fires that affected Arbonne-la-Forêt and Fontainebleau. Samples have been taken from the fire sites and further analyses will be carried out on other areas affected by the flames. Several witnesses have already been questioned by investigators.
Firefighters have been battling the flames since Sunday at this historic site, a former hunting ground of the French kings. On Monday, strong wind gusts complicated the firefighting operations, before weather conditions improved on Tuesday. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced that the fire is no longer spreading, although its complete extinguishing has not yet been secured. Water-bombing aircraft continued their runs on Tuesday.
Two separate fires were identified in this area: the first near the A6 motorway on Sunday afternoon, the second on Monday in the Faisanderie sector, near Fontainebleau. All of these fires constitute one of the largest fires to have occurred in northern France over the past twenty years.
Located approximately sixty kilometres south-east of Paris, the Fontainebleau forest covers an area more than twice the size of the capital. This forest, accessible in less than an hour by train from Paris, welcomes approximately 15 million visitors each year. Beyond its historical significance — French sovereigns hunted there and Impressionist painters found their inspiration — this site is distinguished by remarkable biodiversity. It was the first protected natural space in the world.
Source: Interia