Welder, 55, appears in court accused of sparking fire which ripped through Gran Canaria by recklessly using machinery on tinder-dry mountain
- A man, who is Spanish, appeared in court today charged with recklessness
- He is accused of using welding machinery in Artenara when the fire broke out
- Thousands of people have been evacuated form their home as the fire is tackled
A 55-year-old man has appeared in court charged with recklessness after a spark from his welding machine is said to have caused the major fire in Gran Canaria.
The blaze broke out in Artenara on the summit on Saturday and is still not under control, with the flames and smoke in the mountain region being fanned by strong winds.
Some 1,000 people from 20 villages were evacuated from their homes on Saturday night and the authorities told more residents of at least three more villages to leave on Sunday because of the threat to their homes.
The blaze broke out in Artenara on the summit on Saturday and is still not under control, with the flames and smoke in the mountain region being fanned by strong winds
The man who appeared in court is Spanish and lives in the summit area of the island, in Telde, where the fire broke out.
He is accused of using welding machinery at his home near open ground at Cruce de las Peñas and faces prosecution for imprudence.
At least 1,000 hectares of land has been burnt, despite the valiant efforts of an emergency team of 600 personnel fighting the blaze from the ground and air, including six helicopters.
Reinforcements have been sent in from the mainland and the neighbouring island of Tenerife.
At least 1,000 hectares of land has been burnt, despite the valiant efforts of an emergency team of 600 personnel fighting the blaze from the ground and air, including six helicopters
The town of Tejeda was evacuated last night because of the proximity of the fire and fears that the wind gusts of 45mph would make the flames ‘jump’ to properties
Firefighters had to dig trenches in a bid to stop the fire spreading and sprayed hundreds of thousands of gallons of water on the countryside
The town of Tejeda was evacuated last night because of the proximity of the fire and fears that the wind gusts of 45mph would make the flames ‘jump’ to properties.
Firefighters had to dig trenches in a bid to stop the fire spreading and sprayed hundreds of thousands of gallons of water on the countryside.
Residents who have been evacuated say they have no idea what they will find when they return to their homes. They were given only a few minutes to leave, grabbing a few items of personal belongings, pets and some farm animals.
One shocked villager of Artenara said: ‘When I saw the fire, I thought it was the end of the world.’
The Gran Canaria authorities are to give an update later this morning.
Residents who have been evacuated say they have no idea what they will find when they return to their homes
Reinforcements have been sent in from the mainland and the neighbouring island of Tenerife