Two arrested on suspicion of starting Ticino fire

Thursday, 3 February 2022 06:30

As a major forest fire ravages areas of canton Ticino – two people have been arrested suspected of inadvertently starting the blaze by not putting out a campfire properly.

Ticino police say they are aged 26 and 28 and suggest they’re not local as they’re described as ‘living on the other side of the Gotthard’.

Police say the fire broke out near the campsite.

Reports in the Blick newspaper say the two men lit a fire and then went to sleep. They woke in the early hours and the fire was already out of control. They fled and didn’t report it.

Residents of nearby villages have been told to leave and others warned not to drink the water as it’s now contaminated due to the fire.

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