Tenerife wildfires were started “deliberately”

Canarian Regional President Fernando Clavijo has confirmed that investigators believe the wildfire – which has destroyed over 11,600 hectares of woodland and seen thousands evacuated from their homes – was started deliberately.

In a press conference on Sunday, the head of the archipelago’s government confirmed that police were investigating three main areas of interest in connection to what has been described as the worst forest fire on the islands for over forty years.

No arrests have been made in connection to the fires, however it is understood that a number of lines of enquiry are open.

Over 12,000 people have been evacuated from their homes since the fire started on Tuesday night. In their latest update, regional officials confirmed that over 11,600 hectares of pine forest and scrubland had been burned.