Man arrested in Vinhais for starting fire with lighter, 13 hectares burnt
A 44-year-old man was arrested in Vinhais council, suspected of having started a forest fire with a lighter in August. The fire destroyed approximately 13 hectares of woodland.
Suspect in Landedo fire to appear in court following arrest in Vinhais
The Judicial Police (PJ) arrested a 44-year-old man in Vinhais council, Bragança district, strongly suspected of having caused a forest fire in the village where he lives, observador.pt reported on Wednesday.
According to the PJ, the suspect allegedly started the fire on 23 August at 21:00 in the locality of Landedo, using "direct flame, with the use of a lighter". The fire consumed approximately 13 hectares of forest area comprised of shrub and sub-shrub layers, in addition to scattered chestnut and oak trees.
The PJ stressed that without "the intervention of several fire brigades", the flames could have destroyed agricultural warehouses and homes in the area.
The detainee, charged with committing a forest fire offence, will be brought before a court for the application of precautionary measures.
Source: Google News PT — Crime (pt)