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Emergency services have been kept busy across the Region of Murcia after three separate fires broke out in Bullas, Yecla and Jumilla, with investigators looking into whether two of them were caused by negligence.

 

The most serious incident happened near Bullas, where a local resident is under investigation after a forest fire was allegedly sparked by barbecue remains that had been discarded on a plot of land.

 

The blaze broke out in the Castillico area and spread through woodland, burning almost half a hectare of forest. Around 30 people living in nearby rural properties were evacuated as a precaution while firefighters worked to bring the flames under control.

 

Crews from the regional forestry service, firefighters from Caravaca de la Cruz and two firefighting helicopters were sent to the scene. Officers from the Guardia Civil, Local Police and Civil Protection also helped with the emergency response, closing nearby roads to allow firefighting teams quick access.

 

The fire was extinguished within a few hours and, despite the evacuation, no injuries or damage to property were reported.

 

Following an investigation involving Seprona officers, environmental agents and the regional Forest Fire Investigation Brigade, investigators concluded the fire most likely started where charcoal and almond shell remains from a barbecue had been dumped beside a fence. According to the Guardia Civil, wind and the slope of the land allowed the flames to spread rapidly into neighbouring woodland.

 

The resident is now being investigated on suspicion of causing a forest fire through negligence.

Meanwhile, a second fire in Yecla is also thought to have been caused by carelessness.

 

The blaze started at around 11.30pm on Friday in scrubland on Calle Saliente, close to Cerro del Castillo, one of the town's main green spaces. With dry vegetation covering the area, the fire spread quickly and caused concern for people living nearby.

 

Initial investigations suggest the blaze may have been started by youngsters setting off firecrackers, something that's strictly prohibited in woodland and agricultural areas because of the high wildfire risk.

 

Residents alerted the emergency services and firefighters, supported by Local Police, managed to stop the flames before they reached the wooded hillside or nearby homes. Around 500m² of scrubland was destroyed and nobody was injured.

 

Early on Saturday morning, firefighters were also called to a blaze at a cave house in the centre of Jumilla.

 

The alarm was raised at around 5am after thick smoke was seen coming from a property on Calle Distrito Tercero. Local Police officers arrived first and requested firefighters after confirming the seriousness of the incident.

 

Nobody was inside the cave house at the time, although emergency services said animals were believed to be in the property. The fire was eventually extinguished and crews left the scene at around 8.30am. No injuries were reported and nobody required medical treatment.

 

The incidents come during the Region of Murcia's high wildfire danger period, which runs from June 1 to September 30. During these months, agricultural burning is generally banned and strict rules apply to the use of fire in and around woodland areas. Authorities are once again urging residents to take extra care, warning that even a moment of carelessness can have serious consequences during the height of summer.

 

Images: Guardia Civil / 112