73-year-old man detained for starting three fires in Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo
The Criminal Police detained a 73-year-old retiree suspected of causing three fires in Algodres, with seven fire sources on the final day. The detainee has prior convictions for the same type of crime.
Retiree with criminal record detained for fires in Algodres
The Criminal Police (PJ) detained a 73-year-old man, a retiree, on Monday, suspected of having started three fires in the locality of Algodres, in the municipality of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo. In the final case, which occurred on the very day of his detention, seven fire sources were identified.
According to Observador, the PJ confirmed in a statement sent to news agency Lusa that "the fires were caused by direct flame applied to shrubland and undergrowth in conditions of very high temperature, crosswind and low humidity, with the risk declared by IPMA as elevated".
The suspect justified his actions with "the need to clear land and rubbish", and in doing so, according to the authorities, he placed vast areas of vegetation at risk, as well as buildings supporting agriculture and livestock farming.
The man has criminal prior convictions for the same type of crime and had previously been arrested in flagrante delicto by the GNR of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo on another occasion. The arrest now made, outside of flagrante delicto, was carried out by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (DIC) of the Guarda, in coordination with the Working Group for the Reduction of Ignitions in Rural Space — Interior Centre, comprised of elements from the GNR, the ICNF and the PJ.
Monday's fire did not assume greater proportions thanks to swift detection by the GNR and intervention by the Volunteer Fire Service of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo.
The PJ also indicated it is investigating another case involving the same suspect: a forest fire that occurred on 11 June in the same area, when the risk was declared as very high. The inquiry is headed by the Department of Investigation and Criminal Action (DIAP) of the Guarda.
The detainee will be brought before a judge for initial questioning for the application of precautionary measures.
Source: Observador