Authorities in Alicante reported that last Tuesday a 44-year-old French national was arrested on suspicion of setting fire to a dozen containers and garbage cans along several streets in the city. The incident involved damage to two businesses, including a storefront on a notable local avenue, and is being investigated by the Security Ministry sources.
The burning spree unfolded in a relatively short window, initiating around 1:50 in the morning and concluding at roughly 3:27, as Local Police units intensified patrols to identify the individual responsible for the vandalism. The rapid response aimed to curb the spread of flames and prevent further harm in the urban environment.
Witnesses and cleaners who alerted authorities provided valuable details. Investigators gathered descriptions of a person seen lighting containers, and these observations helped narrow the search. Additional fire-related activity was noted at another establishment on a nearby street, reinforcing alerts across the central area of the city.
Local Police units located the suspect on Doctor Rico street, where the final container had been set alight. The individual was found carrying two lighters, pieces of paper, and a partially burned plastic bottle, all of which were seized for analysis in the ongoing inquiry.
The fires affected several thoroughfares including General Marvá, Reyes Católicos, Alemannia, Federico Soto, Doctor Rico, Pintor Cabrera, and Condes de Soto Ameno, with authorities confirming that the events escalated quickly across multiple blocks in the early hours.
Fire prevention and rescue services, dispatched from the city’s SPEIS unit, coordinated with the Local Police to combat the flames. The initial incident began near Vial de los Cipreses, where a six-member firefighting team and police responders acted immediately. Subsequently, a coordinated operation managed to extinguish eleven additional blazes that had started in the city center within a short half-hour period. In total, six firefighters were actively engaged across the different locations to bring the fires under control.
What followed was a concerted effort from emergency services to secure the affected areas, assess damage, and support any nearby businesses or residents impacted by the disturbances. The incident prompted a temporary surge in patrols and reinforced the importance of swift communication between municipal services and law enforcement to prevent further episodes of arson.
At this stage, investigators emphasize the need for ongoing cooperation from the public to provide any additional observations that could assist in understanding the motive and identifying any accomplices. The case remains under review by the relevant authorities, with updates expected as more information becomes available. [SPEIS] [Local Police]