A man has been arrested in Caniço on suspicion of deliberately starting a bush fire yesterday afternoon. The fire broke out on Rua Cônego Doutor Jorge de Freitas, next to the slope of the New Cemetery.
The arrest was confirmed by Paulo Renato Baptista, coordinator of the Municipal Civil Protection Service of Santa Cruz. According to Baptista, the suspect allegedly approached workers carrying out vegetation clearance, part of a municipal program to create firebreaks, and reportedly said the vegetation was going to catch fire.
Workers from the contracting company reportedly chased and restrained the suspect until the Public Security Police (PSP) arrived. The detainee will be brought before judicial authorities. Santa Cruz Municipality confirmed the arrest on social media. Firefighting efforts involved 31 personnel with seven fire engines, a heavy support machine, and a helicopter.
