Man detained in police investigation into horrific wildfire in France – Times of India

La teste de Bouche: French investigators are investigating suspected intentional lighting fixtures to see what went awry Forest fire in the southwest of the country taken into custody a man for questioning, as Fire Fighting And water-bombing planes continued the fight against the fierce flames on Tuesday. Two massive fires in tinder-dried pine forests in the Gironde region have forced thousands of people to flee homes and summer vacation spots since they began on July 12.
One of the fires south of Bordeaux is suspected to have been started intentionally.
The Bordeaux prosecutor’s office said a motorist told investigators he saw a vehicle speeding away from the spot where the fire broke out on July 12. The motorist pulled over and tried unsuccessfully to put out the fire, the Bordeaux prosecutor’s office said.
Criminal investigators later found evidence pointing to possible arson.
The prosecutor’s office said in a statement that the person taken for questioning was taken into custody on Monday afternoon. The investigation is on and witnesses are being heard.
Water-bombing aircraft and more than 2,000 firefighters are working day and night to control the blaze and another blaze southwest of Bordeaux that investigators are treating as an accident.
Gironde officials said the fire has already burnt 190 square kilometers of forest and vegetation.
Gironde officials said thick clouds of smoke and the threat of flames spreading into buildings have forced the evacuation of more than 37,000 people, including 16,000 on Monday alone.
A minor third fire broke out late Monday in the Medoc wine region north of Bordeaux, further taxing regional firefighting resources.
Gironde officials said 74 residents of a retirement home were among those evacuated on Monday.
Animals were also taken out of a zoo. Five camping sites engulfed in flames the Atlantic The beach area southwest of Bordeaux is famous for its oysters and resorts around the Arcachon Marine Basin.
But the weather forecast on Tuesday provided some consolation, with heat-wave temperatures easing along the Atlantic coastline and rain expected to end the day.