Photos: Man accidentally sparks wildfire in canary Islands after lighting "toilet paper"

Friday, 5 August 2016

Photos: Man accidentally sparks wildfire in canary Islands after lighting "toilet paper"

A 27-year-old German man has been arrested on suspicion of starting a devastating wildfire in Canary Island. According to reports, he confessed to police that the fire accidentally began when he lit used toilet paper after going to the toilet. This was because he didn't want to discard the soiled paper as rubbish and so he decided to burn it, with no intention of causing a fire.

The fire however broke out in the Jedey mountain area on the Island and spiraled out of control. The blaze, which was tackled on the ground by firefighters and from the air with the help of four helicopters & a specialist plane, claimed more than 250 acres of pine forest. A forest worker tackling the blaze lost his life and 700 people were evacuated from their homes as a precaution.

The German is expected to appear before an investigating judge in a private court hearing later today and a military response unit has also been drafted in to help local fire crews.

More photos below...