Man arrested in connection with five fires at La Florida, Alicante

The culprit behind five fires in the Valencian town of Mislata in Alicante has been taken into custody by National Police officers. The fire caused substantial property damage and necessitated medical attention for smoke inhalation.

The National Police were notified of many simultaneous fires that were erupting in multiple spots within the La Florida-La Viña neighbourhood at midnight on March 25th. Personnel from the Alicante Fire Station and members of the Provincial Citizen Security Brigade were also sent to the several locations.

A number of vehicles were also impacted by the fire, which caused significant damage to many of them and entirely burnt one due to the ferocity of the flames, which in every instance had begun in waste containers.

Containers and cars caused the fire to spread to the building façade, putting the occupants of surrounding residences in danger. Firefighters rescued a blind woman who was unable to leave her home, and residents of many residences, including those in a game room, were forced to flee.

Because of the perilous circumstances, the massive volume of smoke, and the spectacular character of the flames, some people needed medical assistance for anxiety attacks and smoke inhalation. The signs of two nearby companies were also materially damaged, as was the façade of these buildings.

The inquiry was taken over by judicial police officers from the Alicante Central District Police Station, who carried out a number of investigations to confirm the timeline and ultimately identify the alleged fire offender.

Officers found the offender in the Valencian town of Mislata after doing the necessary investigation, and he was taken into custody on charges of arson and destruction.

Eleven rubbish and recycling containers worth 17,500 euros were damaged in the fire, along with seven cars, one of which was totally destroyed.

Following police investigations, the 42-year-old inmate was sent before the Mislata Court of Instruction on duty, where he was given an imprisonment order.