A 41-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested for starting 24 fires in Alicante’s Serra Grossa.
The alleged perpetrator first struck in May 2025 with 13 incidents recorded up to August.
He resurfaced again early this year with further fires started that bore the hallmarks of last year’s crimes.
GUARDIA PROBE, SERRA GROSSA
The Serra Grossa is located at the northern entrance to Alicante, just a kilometre from the iconic Santa Barbara castle and 30 minutes walk from the city centre.
It is an urban forest park which covers an area of over 80 hectares and consists of two small peaks that offer spectacular views of the area, with various popular hiking trails.
The Guardia Civil investigation started in early May 2025, when several forest fires were detected in the north-eastern area of the Serra Grossa.
The fires were close to residential areas and their proximity to homes generated fear among property owners.
Initial conclusions were that the blazes were deliberately started with the help of accelerants.
The Guardia ramped up surveillance in the Serra Grossa and worked with experts to identify common patterns in the arsonist’s behaviour.
An analysis of all the information plus cooperation with the Policia Nacional allowed the suspect to be identified.
A file has now been sent to the Environmental Prosecutor.
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