Greek police officers placed a man in custody last night; the man’s suspicious activities are being investigated in regard to the fires in the Marathonas municipality in Attiki.
“The 35-year-old man is suspected of multiple acts of arson in the municipality,” the fire service said in a press release, and he is scheduled to appear before an Athens prosecutor later today.
The initial fire in Mati that claimed the lives of at least 91 people on 23 July is currently treated as an act of negligence by private individual, most likely a resident of the area, who started a fire to burn wood and branches, Kathimerini reports.
A probe conducted by the Hellenic Fire Service’s arson department (DAEE) has found that the main fire broke out on Pendeli mountain and the strong winds lead it to Mati.
Meantime, the investigation revealed evidence of deliberate arson for two separate fires were started on a rural road in nearby Nea Makri.
The suspect is currently accused of setting five fires in land plots in the area of Rizari from 26 to 31 July, and for disobedience towards authorities.
