Arsonist arrested

THE GUARDIA Civil arrested a man in Calpe last Saturday on suspicion of arson and vehicle damage.

The incident occurred on the morning of January 7, when a motorcycle was reported on fire in an outdoor car park, located in the Jovima complex, on Avenida Diputación.

It was apparent that the motorbike had been doused in fuel while it was unattended and set alight, leaving it completely destroyed.

As a result of the fire, the flames spread to other vehicles and the covered roof of the car park.

Thanks to the rapid response of the Guardia, the local police and of course, firefighters, the fire was soon extinguished, preventing more damage and a possible catastrophe.

This is because the car park is located in the vicinity of two petrol stations, whom were holding around 400,000 litres of fuel in their tanks.

The Guardia Civil then began a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire, and after incessant search procedures, countless interviews with possible witnesses, and viewing dozens of hours of security cameras in the area, they finally identified the possible culprit.

As a result of the evidence, the Guardia determined that the alleged arsonist arrived at a self-service petrol station in Calpe, where he filled a jug with fuel.

He then headed to the car park in question, where he jumped the fence, sprayed the motorcycle with fuel and set it on fire. He quickly fled.

The investigation shows that the suspects motive was to possibly take revenge on the motorcycle owner.

The 49-year-old Spaniard is charged with arson and two other offences of damage. He has already appeared at a preliminary hearing and awaits a further court