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Barcelona Police Arrest 63-Year-Old Caught Setting Container Fires

Investigators are examining whether the detainee is connected to roughly 30 recent container fires across several Barcelona districts.

Overview

  • Guardia Urbana and Mossos d'Esquadra detained the man on December 4 in Nou Barris after observing him ignite two adjacent containers on Paseo de Valldaura, causing a blaze that damaged parked vehicles.
  • The suspect is being held as the alleged author of arson and damage to public property, and he was brought before a judge on December 7.
  • During a search, officers seized paraffin incendiary tablets wrapped in foil, a lighter and a mask believed to be used to start fires.
  • Investigators say his pattern was to approach paper and cardboard bins while disposing of trash, light them with paraffin tablets and leave once smoke appeared.
  • Authorities have linked at least three incidents to him so far, are probing ties to about thirty more in recent months across Horta-Guinardó, Gràcia and Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, and estimate damages above €2,500 in the attributed cases.