A suspected arsonist has been arrested after being discovered carrying several lighters near the scene of the latest in a string of fires in Algeciras.
Local Police detained the man on Friday close to Las Pantallas, where a fresh forest fire was raging near the La Aldea residential development.
Authorities claimed the suspect had blackened clothing and pieces of vegetation stuck to him when officers found him.
He was arrested him on suspicion of starting the recent fires that have repeatedly placed southern Algeciras on alert.
Calling for calm, Mayor Jose Ignacio Landaluce said investigators must now prove whether the man was responsible for any of the blazes.
He also urged the public to respect the suspect’s presumption of innocence.
The arrest came during an intense period for firefighters after flames repeatedly broke out in different parts of the city within less than 24 hours.
The first forest fire in Las Pantallas began at around 3.30pm on Thursday and was brought under control approximately five hours later.
Infoca declared it fully extinguished at 9.25am on Friday.
But emergency crews were called back to the area shortly afterwards when a separate fire erupted between Las Pantallas and La Aldea.
Local officials confirmed that the new flames were not merely a rekindling of Thursday’s blaze.
Three helicopters were initially deployed to tackle the flames.
By shortly after 1pm, the response included three groups of forest firefighters, two operations technicians, an environmental officer, two medium-heavy helicopters and a command aircraft.
One of the helicopters was supplied by Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition.
Five simultaneous fires
The emergency followed an extraordinary series of outbreaks across southern Algeciras on Thursday.
Up to five fires burned simultaneously in the Rio Picaro area, Parque del Centenario, Rosa de los Vientos, close to Punta Europa University Hospital and at Las Pantallas.
The separate incidents forced the deployment of large numbers of firefighters, security personnel and other emergency workers.
Two further fires described by the council as deliberate broke out overnight at the Metalsa warehouses.
Another small incident was recorded early on Friday in Calle Felix Rodriguez in the La Bajadilla neighbourhood.
No injuries have been reported in connection with the fires.
The succession of outbreaks had already prompted Algeciras City Hall to appeal for public cooperation.
Residents were asked to report suspicious behaviour or any information that could help investigators establish how the fires began.
The investigation continues.
