Volunteer firefighter under investigation for starting devastating wildfire

Authorities have placed an 18-year-old volunteer firefighter under formal investigation in connection with a massive fire in the Fontainebleau Forest just south of Paris

French authorities are investigating a volunteer firefighter on suspicion of starting a massive forest fire south of Paris.

At least six people are reportedly being questioned over the cause if the Fontainebleau wildfire after it destroyed more than 2,000 hectares of French woodland and forced around 1,000 people to flee their homes.

The 18-year-old volunteer firefighter had initially confessed to “setting fire to twigs with a lighter and petrol” but later retracted his statement according to Prosecutor Diane Ngomsik, the BBC reported.

Another 18-year old had also been placed under formal investigation, with authorities to determine whether they will bring charges against him over the blaze, BFMTV said.

President Emmanuel Macron said there would be no leniency for arsonists during a visit to the area on Thursday. Fire crews are still working to extinguish the blaze, which started last Sunday, although it is now contained.

At least 10% of the Fontainebleau forest, which covers an area of more than 22,000 hectares, had been burned, president Macron said.

The state-owned forest, just to the south of Paris, is home to the Palace and Park of Fontainebleau, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A warning on the Fontainebleau tourism website says the Fontainebleau Forest remains closed to the public, as well as the surrounding areas. “We kindly ask you to limit your travel and follow all safety instructions to allow emergency services and firefighting teams to carry out their operations safely and efficiently,” the warning adds.

France has suffered under a series of heatwaves this summer, like many parts of Europe, which have led to nearly 11,000 fires. Macron said this year had seen the most fires in France since World War Two.

The country’s main north-south motorway, which runs through areas of the forest, has been partially closed since the fire broke out.

Climate change is raising temperatures, impacting water supplies and causing an increase in wildfire outbreaks across the world, with Europe the fastest warming continent, according to the Copernicus climate service.

In Spain at least 13 people were killed in wildfires which tore through the southern region of Andalusia.

Meanwhile in the UK a large wildfire in the Scottish Highlands has prompted the evacuation of homes and businesses in the Cairngorms National Park as firefighters enter their third day of battling the blaze.