Man arrested for negligent arson in Igoumenitsa, Greece

A man was detained after deliberately setting fire to a pile of electrical cables near the community of Kastria in Igoumenitsa, with the aim of stripping the plastic sheathing. The ignition at about 14:27 caused a wildfire close to a forested area. Investigators from the Fire Service’s Arson Crimes Unit quickly apprehended the suspect on the spot and imposed an administrative fine of €1,875.

The incident is part of a broader enforcement effort: from 1 January to 10 July 2026, authorities issued 553 fines totalling €718,928.83 and made 177 arrests under the same procedure, 92 % of which involved negligence. The Fire Service stresses that most wildfires stem from human carelessness and urges strict adherence to fire‑safety measures.