Portugal’s public prosecution service has filed charges against the Quinta do Lago barman who allegedly started several fires which consumed large sections of the Monchique countryside last summer, stopping just short of the International Autodrome in the neighbouring council area of Portimão.
The prosecution charged the 49-year-old on seven counts of deliberately starting fires which caused the most extensive blaze of 2016 in the Algarve region.
The public prosecutor said that on September 3, 2016, the defendant set fires in the Monchique area, after stopping his car several times along the road and using a lighter to ignite the tinder dry scrubland “on a very hot and dry day, with maximum temperatures between 32°C and 40°C and a relative humidity of less than 30%.”
According to the charges, "the fires that the defendant lit caused several blazes, some of which were extensive, consuming thousands of hectares of scrubland and forests, causing losses of several million euros and forcing the evacuation of dozens of residents and guests and of a local hotel (at the Autodrome).
“About 1,700 firefighters, 200 military personnel, 570 vehicles, helicopters, medium-size aircraft and water bomb planes were involved in fighting the fires."
Firemen from units across the Algarve were joined by colleagues from Beja, Évora and Lisbon plus the help of three Army platoons.
The investigation into the man’s activities was conducted by the Portimão criminal investigation department which delegated it to the Judicial Police in Portimão.
The defendant has been in pre-trial detention since his arrest last summer, presumably for his own safety.
See also: 'Monchique fire - arsonist arrested'
Comments
University research told us several years ago that at least one quarter of those 'noted' as fire arguidos are secretly let free yet never processed out of the enquiry. Unlike the half who are formally discharged so recorded as no longer being of interest to the investigators. Was this first group just too well connected to be inconvenienced ?
Who could possibly have been witnessing the barman's progress along the road, lighting multiple fires yet not be noticed doing so or making any attempt to stop the fires? Or was the barman mental so wanted to be seen?
In my opinion the Portugese arsonists have to be sentenced as "potential MURDERERS" as they put (deliberately) the lives of the poor inhabitants + the brave firemen on stake. Year after year. Of course there is another reason why "fire is still and will be in the future the largest booming business in Portugal" for those who are in charge of purchasing uniforms, equipment, vehicles, specialised fire devices, ambulances, etc. etc. This "business" is so interesting that even the GNR decided to become also "an active player" in the fire-field, having their own anti-fire vehicles, uniforms and equipment.
The show must go on in Portugal !