64-year-old man arrested in Sabrosa on suspicion of forest fire caused by wax candles
The Judicial Police in Vila Real arrested a 64-year-old man, a resident of Sabrosa, suspected of having started a forest fire with wax candles. The fire consumed approximately 5,000 square metres.
Arrested in Sabrosa on suspicion of causing fire with wax candles
The Judicial Police (PJ) in Vila Real arrested a 64-year-old man, a resident of Sabrosa, on suspicion of having started a forest fire last Wednesday. According to avozdetrasosmontes.pt, the suspect was arrested outside of flagrante delicto and is "strongly implicated" in the commission of the crime.
According to the PJ, the fire was allegedly caused by placing wax candles inside the forest patch and in areas with dry vegetation cover. The rapid intervention of the fire brigade, supported by aerial means, was decisive in containing the damage.
The fire consumed an approximate area of 5,000 square metres, affecting pine forest, scrubland, some chestnut trees and parcels of agricultural land. The PJ emphasised that, without this immediate response, vineyards, olive groves and agricultural land in the vicinity would also have been at risk.
The detainee will be presented to the competent judicial authority for first questioning in court and possible application of coercive measures. The investigation is under the responsibility of the Public Prosecutor's Office — Department of Investigation and Criminal Action (DIAP) in Vila Real.
Source: Google News PT — Crime (pt)