ARRESTS FOR STARTING FIRES

ATHENS/BRUSSELS, AUGUST 19 /SRNA/ - Two people have been arrested in Greece for starting fires in separate incidents in Trikala and Karystos.

A 46-year-old Greek national was arrested in connection with a fire that broke out on August 17 in the Genesi area of Trikala. The investigation showed that the fire had been deliberately started using an open flame, ERT reported.

Further investigation also uncovered evidence linking the suspect to two other fires that broke out in the same area in previous days.

The second incident occurred on August 18 in the Komito area of Karystos, where a 47-year-old resident of Evia was arrested for accidentally starting a fire while carrying out work involving an open flame at a wind farm.

Legal proceedings have been initiated against him, and he was also fined approximately 6,600 euros.

Since the beginning of the year and through August 18, a total of 305 arrests have been made, of which 272, or 89.18 percent, were for negligence, while 33, or 10.82 percent, were for deliberately starting fires.

A major wildfire in the High Fens nature reserve in eastern Belgium, described as one of the largest forest fires in the country’s history, was brought under control after five days, VRT reported.

In Portugal, more than 100 fires were active on the mainland at midnight, mostly in the north, with the situation in Arouca being the most serious, RTP reported.

The fire has already burned more than 450 hectares in a tourist area known for its hiking trails.

According to Civil Protection data, there were a total of 111 incidents across the country, involving more than 2,600 personnel and over 870 vehicles.