The cooperation of the public and the work of the local police has led to the arrest of the alleged arsonist presumably responsible for the fire started in the area of El Peralaje, Sierra del Puerto, which was ravaged by flames last year.
Thanks to the rapid response of the emergency services this time little more than 100 square metres of hillside slopes were destroyed.
The fire, alongside the train tracks, was quickly extinguished by environmental officers, firemen and a helicopter from the Forestry Brigade.
Shortly afterwards emergency services were alerted to a vehicle close to the site of the fire by local residents.
Following a search of difficult terrain and areas which are difficult to access the local police arrested a middle aged man from Caravaca in connection with the fire.
The Mayor of Calasparra, José Vélez, confirming the arrest, said the suspect “probably suffered from some mental health condition.”
He added that the local police and the Guardia Civil were carrying out exhaustive investigations as it “is possible the suspect is connected to other fires in the area.”
