In a statement, the PJ reports that, through its Criminal Investigation Department of Leiria, and "following the identification by the GNR of Fatima, the alleged author of the fires", developed steps to collect evidence and detained the suspected author of them.

"The five fires focused on residential spaces and cars, causing damage that only the prompt intervention of firefighters allowed to end the risk of spreading to neighbouring spaces, including a fuel pump and a hotel complex," reads the statement, which also states that "the fires were set with direct flame.

Presented to the criminal investigation judge at the Santarém Judicial Court, the accused was remanded in custody with preventive detention, the statement said.

A PJ source told Lusa that the defendant, without known profession, resident in the area of Fatima and with antecedents for the same type of crime, will have "acted in a framework of addictions".