Investigators from the Forest Corps have determined the fire that ravaged over one hundred hectares of woodland near Punta Molentis in Villasimius was deliberately set. The blaze forced the rescue of hundreds of people stranded on a beach and destroyed dozens of vehicles.
On Wednesday afternoon, Cagliari Chief Prosecutor Rodolfo Sabelli, lead prosecutor Andrea Vacca, Forest Corps Commander Gianluca Cocco, and Carabinieri from the San Vito Company surveyed the fire-ravaged area.
“Bravo to the firefighters, Forest Corps, Coast Guard, all law enforcement because there were no victims,” Sabelli stated to journalists. “No one was hurt; they intervened immediately.” Regarding the investigation, he added, “We shall see.” The deliberate nature of the fire is considered almost certain, with the Forest Corps identifying several key elements pointing to one or more ignition points.
“It’s a dramatic situation,” commented Forest Corps Commander Gianluca Cocco. “It was a devastating blaze with temperatures exceeding a thousand degrees, hot enough to melt metal. The fire spread at enormous speed. Lives were at risk. Thanks to the correct execution of duties by colleagues from the Forest Corps, municipal police, firefighters, and all responding forces, a serious tragedy was averted.”
The Forest Corps is now meticulously reconstructing each phase of the Villasimius fire. It is also investigating a separate blaze in Villacidro (Medio Campidano), where investigators conducted a site visit immediately after Villasimius; early indications suggest an electrical cable spark may have ignited that fire.
In response to the wildfires impacting the entire Sardinian region, Regional Environmental Councillor Rosanna Laconi convened an emergency summit at the Regional Environmental Defence Department. Attendees included the Prefects of Cagliari and Nuoro, the Vice-Prefects of Sassari and Oristano, the regional Fire Brigade Commander, the Forest Corps Commander, the Director General of Civil Protection, and the Director General of Forestas. A technical committee was activated to define actions strengthening investigative efforts supporting the Forest Corps and to evaluate potential involvement of additional law enforcement and military units.