man arrested masca wildfire tenerife

Man arrested after wildfire in Masca ravine spread near homes

Man arrested after wildfire in Masca ravine came within metres of homes

A 69-year-old man, a local resident, has been arrested by the Civil Guard on suspicion of starting a wildfire in the Masca ravine, in the Tenerife municipality of Buenavista del Norte. The blaze, which was brought under control on Saturday after affecting nearly a hectare of land, has been stabilised, according to the Cabildo of Tenerife.

Suspect linked to three previous fires

The suspect is also being investigated for his alleged involvement in up to three other fires in the area over the last month and a half.

The fire broke out around midday, in an area of reeds and broom bushes, with some homes located around 50 metres away. This prompted a large-scale firefighting operation involving three helicopters (two from the Cabildo and one from the Canary Islands Government), Brifor crews, environmental agents, firefighters from the Tenerife Consortium, and volunteers, alongside local police from Buenavista del Norte and the Civil Guard.

Rapid response praised

Blanca Pérez, the island’s Minister for the Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security and Emergencies, highlighted that the fire had been stabilised thanks to a major deployment of around 20 ground and aerial resources.

The Civil Guard, commenting on the arrest, noted that it was made possible by the swift action of officers, who were able to locate and detain the alleged perpetrator in less than two hours. The suspect is said to have started two fires that had already been extinguished.

The accused will be placed at the disposal of the judicial authority once the relevant proceedings have been completed.

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