The 40-year-old who admitted to having caused several fires to start, burning 1,200 hectares on Wednesday July 27 and Thursday July 28 in Ardèche, was indicted and remanded in custody, the Privas prosecution announced on Friday.
This 44-year-old man was arrested and placed in police custody on Wednesday, presenting a “significant alcohol content”. He had confessed “Confronted with the numerous testimonies collected by the investigators” establishing his presence and that of his car at the place of departure of the fires, the prosecution had informed on Thursday.
He was indicted for arson, a “crime punishable by fifteen years’ imprisonment”said the prosecutor of Privas, Cécile Deprade, in a brief press release.
Damage “on an unprecedented scale”
The president of the Ardèche department council, Olivier Amrane, deplored the damage on Thursday “on an unprecedented scale in Ardèche” and called for exemplary sanctions. “Arsonists are criminals who threaten people’s safety and damage our heritage”he said, also announcing that he had filed a complaint.
Twelve fire starts were noted on Wednesday in Ardèche, in particular in Lussas, near Aubenas. These fires covered 1,200 hectares without causing any casualties, mobilizing up to 600 men.
Friday still remained “a few fumaroles in stony places, difficult to access”according to Commander Lionel Lepaulmier, of the SDIS relief operations in Ardèche. “You have to be careful with the heat and the winds which return on Saturday morning”however, warned this official.