A careless act led to a dangerous situation last Wednesday in the Northern District of Alicante, when a man attempting to burn scrap metal and copper caused a brush fire near a school fence. The incident prompted immediate police involvement, and the man, aged 30, was detained by the National Police as he attempted to flee the scene. He appeared before the police court in Alicante and was released on probation on the following day while the case continued to be examined.
Forensic investigators are now clarifying which specific fire event is under review and which needs to be ruled out. The scene unfolded close to what is described as the school perimeter, and the fire was rapidly addressed by local technicians, who worked to prevent any spread. The incident, which involved smoke near the school, raised concerns about the safety of students and staff as the emergency response unfolded, according to officials familiar with the investigation.
The episode occurred around four in the afternoon, drawing a rapid response from National Police units, the Emilio Varela public school, and the Els Xiquets kindergarten. Operatives from the Alicante Northern Area Police Station, including the Response Operational Group, arrived to assess the threat and confirm the presence of a brushfire with flames reaching several meters and a significant plume of smoke rising above the structures nearby.
Photographs of the scene show the perimeter and the location where the fire began, though details are withheld to protect privacy. The incident required careful coordination among law enforcement and emergency services to determine the exact origin and to ensure there were no additional hazards for students who were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
The investigation notes that there were no injuries reported, and no damage to individuals, though property adjacent to the school was at risk during the flare-up. Authorities described the area as prone to quick fire spread due to dry conditions, underscoring the need for rapid containment and thorough post-event analysis to understand the sequence of events.
Witnesses were interviewed by investigators, with one account describing that someone may have been attempting to burn what appeared to be scrap metal or copper shortly before the flames erupted. The police conducted searches in the vicinity to identify potential suspects and gather corroborating evidence about the timing and nature of the ignition source.
The responding officers carried out a precautionary sweep of the area and monitored surrounding streets as they pursued leads. The person identified as a suspect reportedly fled toward the San Vicente del Raspeig area. Authorities noted the possible presence of a lighter and a bottle that could have contained accelerants, which are considered relevant factors in the ongoing inquiry.
After the arrest, the suspect was escorted to a police station for standard procedures, with documentation prepared for potential review by the duty court the following day. The arrest reflected the seriousness with which authorities treat any activity that endangers schoolchildren or creates volatile conditions near educational facilities.
During the arrest and investigation, the kindergarten remained closed as a safety precaution due to the proximity of the fire and the potential risk to children. Fire prevention crews arrived promptly and worked alongside local fire teams to bring the fire under control. They focused on a small, brushy area near the school fence and were able to prevent the flames from encroaching on structures or posing a broader threat to the campus.