Volunteer firefighter arrested on Gargano: eight fires started between Vieste and Peschici
A volunteer resident in Vieste is in prison on suspicion of starting eight forest fires in the Gargano National Park between July and August 2026.
Volunteer firefighter held in custody for eight fires in Gargano Park
As foggiatoday.it reports, on 11 September the Forestry Carabinieri executed a custodial remand order against a volunteer from a forest fire prevention association resident in Vieste. The order was issued by the Judge for Preliminary Investigations of the Foggia Court of Justice at the request of the Public Prosecutor's Office.
The man is strongly suspected of having started eight forest fires in various locations in the municipalities of Vieste and Peschici, within the perimeter of the Gargano National Park, between July and August 2026. The fires destroyed several hectares of woodland in the protected area.
The investigation was conducted by Carabinieri from the Park Units of Umbra, Cagnano Varano, Vieste and San Nicandro, under the coordination of the Carabinieri Park Unit of Monte Sant'Angelo. Through technical examination and video surveillance services, investigators documented the suspect's movements, captured on film as he set fires in various wooded areas — including areas adjacent to the inhabited area of Vieste — before driving away in his own vehicle, unaware he was being filmed.
The crime contested is that of forest fire under Article 423-bis of the criminal code. The charge also includes serious aggravating circumstances: having intentionally caused damage of particular gravity to a protected area and having acted in clear violation of the duties inherent to the role of volunteer firefighter.
The judicial police reports were transmitted to the Foggia Prosecutor's Office, which advanced the request for a precautionary measure, subsequently fully accepted by the judge. The proceedings are currently at the preliminary investigation phase. The criminal responsibility of the suspect will be definitive only following an irrevocable sentence, in accordance with the principle of presumption of innocence.
Source: Google News IT — Crime (it)