Two arson attacks have ravaged the Devesa del Saler area, in the heart of the natural park of the'Albufera' in Valencia (Spain). The first incident took place on Sunday, involving a small fire that was quickly brought under control. A second fire broke out on Monday, mobilising 30 firefighters who worked through the night to contain it.
The authorities have confirmed that someone deliberately started these fires, bringing back memories of a similar incident last October. The disastrous consequences of last year’s fires in the same area remain fresh in the collective memory, with around 800 hectares of forest destroyed along the nature reserve, running alongside the lake. This recent spate of fires adds a new dimension to environmental concerns and highlights the need for immediate action.
Solidarity in the wake of the Valence fire: Residents share their stories
Thirty people were forced to leave their homes, and three of them were treated for smoke inhalation. Pepe, the caretaker of one of the blocks, described the scene as a “war zone”. Indeed, burning palm trees were falling into the flames. Angel, a resident, spoke of the solidarity shown in the face of the disaster: “We saw the huge fire, so we grabbed buckets and whatever else we could to try and help the firefighters.”
The initial findings of the investigation by the Guardia Civil point to arson. The mayor of Valence, Maria José Catala, has called for “decisive” measures. Furthermore, she noted that such fires “occur far too often”. She also advocated the use of mobile phone geolocation to track down the culprits. Furthermore, the authorities and local residents have expressed their solidarity with the emergency services who bravely battled the flames. Indeed, the need for preventive and deterrent measures is becoming imperative for the ecosystem.