Tenerife Arsonist Sentenced to Five Years and Fined €44,500

A resident of northern Tenerife has been sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay a hefty fine of €44,500 for his role in a devastating arson incident that took place in Los Realejos on July 14, 2023. This incident not only endangered lives but also threatened the ecological integrity of the surrounding area.

Overview of the Fire Incident

The fire ignited on a hot summer day, rapidly spreading across an area of 26,000 square meters. Its proximity to the Protected Natural Area of the Corona Forestal, situated less than 500 meters from the ignition point, raised alarms among environmentalists and local authorities alike. The court’s ruling mandated that the convicted individual pay significant compensation, including €35,000 to the Cabildo, €4,210 to the Fire Prevention Consortium, €1,600 to the Canary Government, and an additional fine of €3,600. This financial penalty underscores the serious repercussions of his actions on both the community and the environment.

Defense Claims and Witness Accounts

In a last-ditch effort to overturn the conviction, the defense team questioned the reliability of the primary witness, a local resident who claimed to have seen the accused shortly before the fire erupted. They argued that the distance from which she observed the events rendered her identification of him unreliable. The defense characterized the acceptance of her testimony as irrational and insisted that discrediting her evidence would undermine the entire verdict. To support their claims, they attempted to present video evidence; however, the court ultimately dismissed this material as insufficient.

Evidence Presented in Court

The Supreme Court clarified that the conviction was not solely reliant on the witness’s statement. It also included testimonies from several police officers, one of whom reported seeing the accused on a roof wearing sunglasses. On the morning of the incident, around 7:30 AM, the accused was seen entering an area known as El Lance, located approximately 15 meters from a rural track called Los Dornajos, armed with a lighter. He allegedly ignited the dry vegetation, which quickly turned into large flames, fueled by the prevailing heat and the condition of the plants.

The fire rapidly advanced towards a nearby ravine filled with cane fields, leading to the destruction of an agricultural facility and necessitating the emergency evacuation of livestock. Local residents, noticing the fire shortly after it began, promptly alerted the authorities. By 5:00 PM, the blaze was under control, thanks to the swift actions of the Tenerife Firefighters and support from both the Cabildo and the Canary Government, which deployed two helicopters to assist in firefighting efforts. This timely intervention was crucial in preventing the fire from impacting approximately 26 nearby homes, showcasing the effectiveness of coordinated emergency response efforts.

Additional Evidence of Guilt

Further investigations revealed a disturbing array of incriminating items at the accused’s residence. Among the findings were 25 lighters, 21 unused candles, four used candles, 113 pieces of toilet paper, two cans of alcohol, and various chemicals. Additionally, a glove and ten knives were discovered, raising further questions about the accused’s intentions. Notably, the accused had a prior conviction for arson in 2010, which resulted in a one-year prison sentence and a two-year prohibition from entering the affected area. Following this latest incident, he was placed in provisional custody, which was later confirmed as permanent after the court upheld his sentence.

Key points

• The Supreme Court upheld a five-year prison sentence for an arsonist in Tenerife.
• The fire affected 26,000 square meters and threatened a protected natural area.
• The convicted individual must pay €44,500 in fines and compensation.
• Witness testimony played a crucial role in the conviction.
• Evidence included multiple lighters and other incendiary materials found at the accused’s home.
• The accused had a prior conviction for arson in 2010.
• Emergency services successfully controlled the fire, preventing damage to nearby homes.