16 days · 2 summary articles
Man arrested on suspicion of starting Barcelona wildfire: authorities
Wildfires force village confinements in Catalonia as global blazes surge
A man has been arrested on suspicion of starting a wildfire near Barcelona that forced more than 16,000 people to shelter indoors for over two hours on Friday morning. The blaze, which burned 38 hectares across four municipalities, was brought under control by mid-afternoon as firefighters and helicopters contained the flames, though two residential areas remained evacuated.
The fire broke out shortly after 10:45 a.m. near the Tiana-Montgat landfill and spread rapidly through a ravine toward the ridge separating the Vallès Oriental region from the metropolitan area of Barcelona. Authorities in Tiana, Sant Fost de Campsentelles, Martorelles and Santa Maria de Martorelles ordered residents to stay inside, close windows and doors, and avoid travel. The confinement order was lifted for most of the affected population just after 2:00 p.m. as firefighters succeeded in encircling the fire front, but it remained in place for residents of Colònia Bosc and Alberg La Conreria, the two urbanisations closest to the flames.
Firefighters deployed 26 ground crews and 10 aircraft, focusing aerial attacks on the head of the fire. Pep Colàs, chief of operations for the Catalan fire service, said conditions had clearly improved by early afternoon and that no homes or injuries had been reported. A strong sea breeze initially pushed flames to the right, but a large vineyard helped slow the fire’s advance. By 2:00 p.m., only a small active flank on the left side required further water drops.
The Mossos d’Esquadra announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with the fire, which they believe was deliberately set. Interior Minister Nuria Parlón said investigators had identified three almost simultaneous ignition points and noted that a pyrocumulus cloud had formed above the blaze, complicating firefighting efforts. President Salvador Illa confirmed the arrest in a post on X.
The Tiana fire is one of two major wildfires burning in Catalonia today. In Santa Maria de Montmagastrell, near Tàrrega in Lleida province, another fire has scorched farmland, though aerial support has helped limit its spread and 23 ground crews remain on site to secure the perimeter.
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