Man jailed for forest fire in Quito

A judge has ordered pre-trial detention for a man suspected of starting a forest fire in Quito on August 26. The blaze scorched over 1,200 square meters of vegetation in the Monjas sector.

The suspect's arrest came after residents of the area reported the incident. The National Police intervened and transferred the detainee to the Unit of Flagrancy, where the legal team from Quito Firefighters presented the complaint along with relevant reports.

During the hearing on August 27, the Attorney General's Office formally charged the detained citizen for his alleged involvement in the forest fire. The judge mandated that the proceedings continue with a 30-day fiscal investigation, during which the accused will remain in pre-trial detention.

Quito Firefighters stated that the capture was made possible by an alert from local residents who reported the incident to authorities. The fire department's legal team submitted the complaint and related reports at the Unit of Flagrancy.

Firefighters Quito emphasized their ongoing commitment to protecting citizens, nature, and life in coordination with relevant institutions. They also urged the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any situations that could lead to forest fires.