Construction worker accused of starting largest wildfire in Spain faces 10 years in jail

Construction worker accused of starting largest wildfire in Spain faces 10 years in jail A worker was arrested after allegedly starting the largest wildfire in Spanish history by using a hydraulic hammer, which is banned during the summer months due to the hot temperatures A man has been accused of starting the largest wildfire in Spanish history by using a banned construction tool. A construction worker was arrested after allegedly sparking the devastating blaze that tore through central Spain, and forced about 90,000 people to flee their homes. The huge fire broke out near Navaluenga, Ávila, on July 22; the same day two separate wildfires erupted in Madrid. Authorities feared the blazes would merge before the Madrid fires eventually joined together. The unnamed man now faces between five and 10 years in prison if found guilty of causing the fire through negligence. Firefighters claimed the man had been using his digging machine’s hydraulic hammer to crush rocks when sparks flew into the dry vegetation, El Mundo reported. The construction worker denied using the machine and told Guardia Civil officers he had only gone to the site to retrieve it. Police alleged the work had been carried out without a permit and said the excavator was not fitted with the required fire-extinguishing equipment. The machinery is banned during Spain’s summer months because of the heightened risk due to summer heatwaves and fire emergencies. The blaze quickly spiralled out of control, scorching about 193 square miles and forcing about 90,000 people to flee their homes in one of Spain’s worst-ever wildfires. Around 77,000 hectares had been affected by the fires across Spain and Ávila accounts for 50,000 hectares, according to Ecological Transition Minister Sara Aagesen. She said: “The wildfire burning in the Ávila area was the largest in the country’s recent history.” Regional president Alfonso Fernández Mañueco said: “This fire was caused by negligence. The Castilla y León government will act as a private prosecutor against the person who started this fire." Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska warned there would be “three tough days” ahead as strong winds and soaring temperatures threatened to hamper firefighting efforts, even after the major blaze affecting Ávila and Madrid began to stabilise. The improving conditions allowed authorities to lift some evacuation and shelter-in-place orders, although restrictions remain in the worst-hit areas. Officials also warned of another wildfire in the northwestern province of Zamora, where six towns were ordered to evacuate and about 1,000 people were told to shelter in place. Temperatures were forecast to climb close to 40C in parts of Spain, with the heatwave expected to continue until at least Sunday. Spain’s state meteorological agency Aemet warned the “fire danger level will continue to rise to extreme levels, hindering firefighting efforts”.