The Judiciary Police has already detained one of the suspects believed to have started the fires in Calheta.
Moreover, inspectors from the Judiciary Police are in the field, in the area where the ignition may have occurred, accompanied by the suspect himself, in the grounds near his house.
The information still needs official confirmation, but as far as it was possible for local newspaper, JM, to ascertain, the investigations are gathering momentum, and it is foreseeable that the suspect will remain in police custody for questioning.
The individual in question was already the main suspect as far as locals were concerned and he has now been arrested. A forensic team is currently collecting evidence against him.
It is expected that the Judiciary Police will be able to issue a formal statement. It should be noted that the forest area of the municipality of Calheta was one of the most affected by the fire, and even Carlos Teles, the local Mayor, has confirmed that fires have consumed at least half of the parish.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
Photo: Jm
