A COLOMBIAN national who arrived in Spain just one month ago has been arrested after allegedly deliberately starting a major wildfire that led to the death of one forest fighter and threatened the historic San Juan de la Peña monastery.
The 28-year-old suspect, who entered Spain on July 14, has been remanded in custody without bail by a court in Huesca after security cameras captured him crouching at ‘the exact point’ where the blaze ignited last week.
Forensic reports have ruled out any natural cause for the fire, with investigators instead believing it was started by direct ignition with a flame.
The fire has scorched more than 17,500 hectares of land across the La Jacetania and Hoya de Huesca regions of Aragon, forcing the evacuation of residents across nearly 20 towns and villages.
That includes the town of Santa Cruz de la Seros, home to the historic royal monasteries of San Juan de la Peña.
The ancient complex, which dates back to the 10th century, was the most important monastery in Aragon during the Middle Ages and forms part of the Aragonese leg of the Camino de Santiago.
The human cost of the blaze has also been severe after a member of Spain’s Military Emergency Unit died on Sunday when a water tanker truck overturned while operating at the fire.
Three other soldiers were injured in the incident – including one who has since been admitted to hospital.
“All my love and solidarity to the family and comrades of the UME soldier who died in an accident while working on extinguishing the fire in Peñas de Riglos, and my wish for a swift recovery to the injured,” prime minister Pedro Sanchez said on X.
“Thank you to all the men and women of the UME and the emergency services for your dedication, commitment and bravery. We are constantly in your debt.”
More than 570 UME personnel currently remain deployed at the scene, where the blaze remains ‘out of control’ despite a rainy night.
During his court appearance over the weekend, the Colombian suspect claimed to have been collecting construction sacks in the area – but a physical inspection of the site where the fire ignited found no sacks or any evidence of construction work.
Instead, investigators discovered remnants of an aerosol canister and glass fragments.
The judge ordered the suspect’s remand, citing an extremely high flight risk.
The accused has no property, employment or family links to Spain, and was identified only by his Colombian passport.
He now faces a charge of environmental crime with a potential prison sentence of up to six years.
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20 years prison for this idiot hopefully.