A Vox mayor is under investigation over suspicions he accidentally sparked a major wildfire in central Spain.

Investigators believe the blaze, which broke out near La Mierla, Guadalajara, may have been started while the mayor of the neighbouring village of Robledillo de Mohernando was using a combine harvester on cereal crops.

Sources close to the investigation told Europa Press that Mayor Ruben Marchamalo’s activity is the suspected origin of the fire, although the exact cause has yet to be officially confirmed.

At the time the inferno started, harvesting was permitted under Castilla-La Mancha’s wildfire prevention rules because the Potential Fire Spread Index (IPP) was classified as ‘Very High’ rather than ‘Extreme’.

However, under those regulations, harvesting must stop between 2pm and 5pm unless operators have a support tractor equipped with appropriate machinery.

Outside those hours, combine harvesters must carry an ABC fire extinguisher, a water backpack holding at least 15 litres, firefighting beaters and the operator must have submitted a responsible declaration.

Investigators are now examining whether all of those requirements were met.

The Guardia Civil and environmental officers are analysing the exact point where the fire began in order to establish how it started and whether criminal responsibility exists.

Mercedes Gomez, Castilla-La Mancha’s regional minister for Sustainable Development, said authorities were working to determine ‘the real cause and, above all, whether someone is responsible.’

Spain’s central government has also used the incident to renew calls for greater responsibility during the country’s wildfire season.

Guadalajara’s deputy government delegate, Susana Cabellos, confirmed that a suspect had been identified and criticised those who deny the impact of climate change.

‘Wildfires require responsibility from society, and also from those climate change deniers who oppose measures introduced by public authorities to protect the environment,’ she said.

‘Today, the centre of Spain is burning. Our immediate priority is containing the fire, but the rule of law also requires that those responsible for causing wildfires are held accountable.’

The wildfire continues to be fought by emergency crews as authorities work to bring it under control.