Walter Finch
A KNOWN criminal has been sent to jail for deliberately starting a devastating fire that saw homes evacuated on the Costa del Sol last month.
The 67-year-old firestarter, who lived locally in Caceres, was arrested with ‘three lights on him’ and later charged with starting a forest fire.
The Civil Guard said: “Clear evidence was found pointing to a man living in Casares who was near the starting point of the fire.”
The blaze, which broke out near several homes on July 5, forced the evacuation of one property and caused significant damage.
Firefighters from across the region battled the flames for several hours, eventually bringing the blaze under control.
The wildfire caused significant disruption to the local community, with a nearby road being closed for two hours and residents fearing for their homes.
An Estepona court ordered the suspect, who has a criminal record, to be remanded in custody pending further investigation.
The fire marked the first major one of the hot season on the Costa del Sol, which has seen many subsequent ones break out as the temperatures have crept higher.
A couple of weeks later, a forest fire broke out in Marbella following a day of high temperatures and blustery conditions.
READ MORE: Evacuated residents return to their homes following ‘severe’ forest fire in Alicante
Around 100 firefighters and 14 aircraft were needed to tackle the blaze in the hills of Nagueles.
Pictures taken from a helicopter show flames snaking through the hills behind Marbella on the Costa del Sol.
Residents in nearby San Pedro de Alcantara can see thick black smoke filling the air while helicopters pass overhead.
It comes as the Costa del Sol is placed on alert for extremely high temperatures next week.
The warning, by official weather agency AEMET, is in force on Tuesday, with highs of 38C expected.
The yellow-level alert is also in place in the Axarquia and parts of Murcia.
