Caught red-handed while setting a fire: serial arsonist from Santa Giusta arrested. A prolonged and detailed investigation conducted by the Forestry Corps led, early today, to the arrest of a man caught red-handed while setting a fire in the "Mascaminis" area, in the Santa Giusta countryside.

The operation was conducted by the Environmental and Forestry Police Investigative Unit (Nipaf) of the Oristano Territorial Inspectorate, with the assistance of staff from the Marrubiu Forestry Station and, in this case, staff from the Ales Forestry Station. It concluded an investigative effort undertaken in the preceding weeks following numerous fires that had broken out in the same area, especially at night. Around 3:40 a.m., while on patrol, forestry staff witnessed a fire start next to a rural road in " Mascaminis ."

Immediately after the flames ignited, the man, a farmer, fled the scene in his car. However, Forestry Corps patrols pursued him, caught him, and arrested him. During subsequent investigations, traces of the fire and fire-starting materials were found inside the car, all of which will be submitted to the judicial authorities for evaluation.

The Fire Department was called in, and they contained and extinguished the fire, preventing it from spreading further to the surrounding vegetation. The blaze affected an area of approximately 400 square meters, consisting primarily of rockrose, brambles, and reeds, in an area characterized by the presence of uncultivated land. The fire was started near the 131 highway and, if not promptly contained, could have posed a direct threat to public safety.

The Public Prosecutor's Office at the Oristano Court was immediately notified. The public prosecutor on duty, based on the information provided by the judicial police, ordered the arrest and the man's transfer to the prison.

(Unioneonline/En.Ne.)