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The fire on Cerro San Isidro.
British resident arrested for starting Nerja forest fire through negligence

British resident arrested for starting Nerja forest fire through negligence

Firefighters were able to control the blaze on Monday evening on the Cerro de San Isidro behind Nerja as well as tackling a second blaze in Valtocado, Mijas

Eugenio Cabezas

Monday, 20 May 2019, 18:12

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A 43-year-old British man has been arrested in connection with the forest fire that broke out on Monday lunchtime in the area known as the Cerro de San Isidro, just behind Nerja.

It appears that the local resident admitted that he lit a small fire to burn some rubbish. Due to the strong wind and the dry vegetation, however, the flames spread rapidly.

The man is now under formal investigation and could be charged with starting the fire through negligence.

Firefighters were still working on Monday evening to put out a blaze that broke out at around 1.30pm on Monday.

By 2.30pm the fire had been stabilised and by 8pm it was under control, reported the forest firefighting unit Infoca.

The area is located just 500 metres from the town itself and there are several farmhouses nearby, all of which were evacuated.

The fire began at the highest point of the hill, although the flames soon spread due to the strong wind. The smoke was visible for several kilometres.

Valtocado, Mijas

Later on Monday, at around 4pm, Infoca sent more officers and helicopters to tackle a new blaze that had broken out in Valtocado, Mijas.

According to Infoca, two helicopters and 50 firefighters were brought in to tackle the blaze which was declared stabilised at 5.40pm and was also under control later that evening.

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