A 72-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the fires in the Albufera Natural Park.

PalmThe Civil Guard has arrested a 72-year-old man as the suspected perpetrator of several forest fires in the Albufera Natural Park of Mallorca, as part of Operation 'Rodes de Foc' (Wheels of Fire), launched in 2014 to investigate those responsible for the fires in the area. According to the Civil Guard, the arrest took place on Tuesday, February 10, after agents from the Nature Protection Unit of Mallorca (UPRONA) identified the individual thanks to a combination of evidence and information from the public.

Witnesses placed the suspected arsonist at two of the locations where the fires started, which affected approximately 9,200 square meters of land. Officers were able to locate the individual while he was riding a bicycle in Sa Pobla and within the Natural Park. The arrest was made after intercepting him in a reed bed, under strong winds and at a time of day that would have facilitated the spread of the fire. Among his belongings were found three lighters and a large quantity of paper. The investigation also involved the collaboration of environmental agents and the local police forces of Sa Pobla and Muro. The following day, the detainee was brought before a judge, who issued a restraining order and prohibited him from entering the Albufera Natural Park. The fires under investigation include one that started on February 9, which affected a reedbed of more than 170 square meters, and another that was extinguished by the same witnesses at the outset. The operation was expedited following the orange alert issued for strong winds last week, which increased the risk of the fire spreading.