72-Year-Old Woman Arrested for Setting Multiple Fires in Guarda Region

Elderly Woman Suspected of Arson Spree in Guarda

A 72-year-old woman is suspected of setting nine separate fires between July and August in the Outeiro de São Miguel area, at the entrance to the city of Guarda. The septuagenarian, who allegedly started the fires for frivolous reasons, was arrested by the Judicial Police last Monday outside of flagrante delicto.

Police Surveillance Operation Uncovers Arsonist

The high number of ignitions in that peripheral city location within a short timeframe alerted authorities, who set up a surveillance operation to catch the arsonist. During one of these operations, the suspect acted again, igniting a fire in an area of dry brush. "A fire that did not progress significantly because the inspectors monitoring these forested areas noticed and rushed to the scene, managing to contain the flames using fire extinguishers until the rapid intervention teams of firefighters arrived and extinguished them," said a source from the PJ in Guarda.

Nighttime Arson During High Fire Risk Period

The elderly woman primarily acted during the night, setting fires using direct flame on accumulations of dry fuels near small pine and oak forests. "The fires were set during a period marked by large-scale forest fires in the district and weather conditions conducive to their spread. On the days when the ignitions attributed to the suspect occurred, the fire risk was maximum," the same source concluded.

Limited Damage Thanks to Rapid Response

The fires ultimately did not assume large proportions due to the quick intervention of teams from the Special Device for Combating Rural Fires, but they required the mobilization of resources that were needed for other serious occurrences in the region.

The suspect will be presented for her first judicial interrogation at the Guarda Court.