Forest fire extinguished
Judge investigates first major blaze of 2020 in Alicante province
A FIERCE forest fire that started on Thursday in La Romaneta – which lies between Monóvar and La Romana – was finally extinguished by fire fighters on Sunday morning.
Alicante provincial fire service reported that 140 hectares of countryside was burned.
A total of 13 rural homes were evacuated during the blaze and 30 people had to leave their properties.
A local resident has been arrested for ‘uncontrolled burning of agricultural waste’, which allegedly caused the fire.
A spokesman for the regional supreme court explained that a Novelda judge is investigating the suspect for reckless actions which led to a forest fire.
He has been bailed to appear before the court once a month until his trial or acquittal.
The fire service noted that the blaze took hold in a mountainous area, which it made it very difficult to tackle.
A spokesman said the changing direction of the wind also hampered their efforts.
A total of 16 helicopters and special fire service planes were called in and doused the area in water, while fire fighters used hoses lower down the slopes.
Councillor for justice and the interior Gabriela Bravo visited the area on Friday evening, along with provincial president Carlos Mazón.
They were able to observe that the fire had been cordoned off and was being fought inside this perimeter.
On Monday a fire service spokesman thanked ‘all the volunteers’ that helped out, as well as forestry guards and regional government staff.