The source said that "some elements and items that may have been at the origin of the fire" have already been collected in the area.

The alleged authors of the crimes in question, the source stressed, had a "significant knowledge [of] and concern" with the fires, because the points where and the moment when the fires started, "about 14:40, were in order to ensure property and even personal losses".

Members of the PJ’s Centre region directorate are on the ground and the investigation is ongoing.

The fire in Sertã, which on Sunday evening was said to have been brought under control, burned for more than 24 hours and mobilised almost 300 firefighters and two aircraft.

Also in Castelo Branco district and starting at the same time of Saturday, a fire in Fundada, in Vila de Rei municipality, which later spread to the municipality of Mação, burned for even longer and overnight on Sunday was still is being fought by 855 firefighters, backed up by 262 fire engines and other vehicles, and 15 aircraft.