Arsonist Responsible for 13 Forest Fires in Alicante Province Arrested

For five years, he turned the mountains of northern Alicante province into a living hell until the Civil Guard finally caught him. The detainee, a 28-year-old Spaniard, is accused of causing 13 forest fires since 2019 in the towns of Biar, Beneixama, and Banyeres de Mariola.

Agents from the Civil Guard's Villena Investigation Area began investigating the incidents in depth after a forest fire occurred on July 30, 2024, in Biar, which burned 2.3 hectares and was located very close to a youth hostel in the area.

After initial investigations and analyzing early evidence, the investigators managed to identify a vehicle that accessed the fire site just minutes before the blaze started, remaining there for less than two minutes.

Subsequent investigations allowed them to identify the owner of the car, a local resident, who was also linked to another forest fire on August 5, 2024, on the CV-803 road in Banyeres de Mariola. On this occasion, thanks to the collaboration of Biar's Local Police, he was identified near the fire site. A search of his vehicle revealed flammable products, gloves, matches, and other materials used to start fires.

Throughout the investigation, with the help of local residents and reports from forest agents and Local Police, the detainee's connection to other fires in the area since 2019 was confirmed. Notably, his presence was verified at a fire on July 13, 2019, at the Biar Sanctuary.

After gathering sufficient evidence, the Civil Guard conducted a search of the suspect's home, where they found a large quantity of flammable products, electronic devices with recordings of various fires, and other items used to start fires.

The detainee, a 28-year-old Spaniard charged with thirteen counts of forest arson, has been brought before Villena's Investigating Court No. 2. The judge has ordered his release with precautionary measures.