Witnesses are being interrogated by the Environmental Crimes Brigade investigating the cause of the forest fire which threatened homes in the Florida area of Calasparra and burned nearly 300 hectares of hill slopes.
As the Director General of the Emergency Services, Manual Durán, declared the fire “under control” the investigation begins into whether the fire was intentional or due to negligence.
The emergency services are expected to pronounce the fire “extinguished” today, Monday, but fire fighters and helicopters have spent the weekend damping down the slopes and summits of the Molino.
The fire began around 5pm on Friday and, fanned by strong winds which continued over the weekend, it quickly spread and soon the Molino hill was on fire again.
On Saturday some 16 people were evacuated temporarily from their homes in La Florida, including dogs at a rescue centre, as the wind reignited hot embers.
The fire is believed to have started in an agricultural area. Los Alvares, and enviromental officers have fenced off some 100 square metres where they have found the remains of bottles which, they say, indicates “ the hand of man” as the origin of the fire, intentional or negligent.
Over the weekend a total of 252 fire fighters, five helicopters and a hydraplane worked without respìte to control the fire.
The Mayor of Calasparra, Jose Velez, has paid tribute to the work of the emergency services.
“From the first momento we have had a great coordination of all the services of the region and bordering provinces,” he said.
Velez also noted the rich natural patrimony of the area of the fire, the Molino, which was ravaged by fire such six years ago, and vowed to work to recuperate the area.
