Man, 62, arrested over six fires in Santa Cruz das Flores
Azores GuidePolice link the suspect to fires in a garage, a car and four farm buildings on Flores between July and September. One fire put lives at risk.
The Polícia Judiciária (PJ), Portugal's criminal investigation police, has arrested a 62-year-old man suspected of six arson crimes in the municipality of Santa Cruz das Flores, on Flores island. The PJ announced the arrest in a statement on Saturday.
The fires took place between 25 July and 24 September. They were set in a garage attached to a house, in a car and in four structures used for farming. According to notícias que contam, the suspect used home-made incendiary devices.
The PJ says one of the fires was allegedly an act of revenge. No motive has been established for the others, which the suspect allegedly set while drunk. The fires caused heavy damage to property, and at least one put people's lives in danger.
Notícias que contam reports that the PJ credited the Santa Cruz das Flores volunteer fire brigade with stopping the flames from spreading. The investigation is led by the Santa Cruz das Flores section of the public prosecutor's investigation department (DIAP) for the Azores.
The man will be brought before a judge, who will set the coercive measures he faces.
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