The Civil Guard shuffles the human factor as the main hypothesis for the start of the fire in Montitxelvo

Take statements from several witnesses and try to clarify whether it is an intentional or accidental cause.

VALENCIA, 4 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Government delegate in the Valencian Community, Pilar Bernabé, has confirmed that the Civil Guard is considering the human factor as the main hypothesis for the start of the forest fire declared on Thursday in Montitxelvo (Valencia), which has already burned some 2,500 hectares in a perimeter of 38 kilometers and has forced the evacuation and confinement of several municipalities.

In statements to the media this Saturday from the Advanced Command Post (PMA) of the fire, Bernabé indicated that the armed institute is investigating the causes that caused the fire to start and, in fact, he has detailed that the agents have already taken statements to different witnesses.

Thus, the delegate pointed out that the investigation must determine whether the start of the fire "was due to an intentional or accidental human cause", although she stated that, in any case, the human factor seems to be behind the start of the flames.

On the other hand, Bernabé has taken the opportunity to call on confined and evicted neighbors to "comply with the orders not to leave their homes or not return" to them. "They should not approach the fire areas because they endanger their lives and those of the people who are working to extinguish them," he warned.

"If the localities are evacuated, the neighbors cannot return to their homes, and if they are confined, it is better that they stay at home. These are orders, above all, to protect their lives and their safety," he explained.

The Government delegate has specified that the Civil Guard device deployed in the area works to prevent access to the evacuated areas, in order to also avoid possible robberies. Furthermore, taking advantage of the weekend, she has asked the population to "avoid approaching" these areas.

"COLABORATION IS FUNDAMENTAL"

Bernabé has also expressed the gratitude, solidarity and support of the Government of Spain to all the troops working to extinguish the fire. He has also shown "the commitment to continue having all the necessary resources", since, he has argued, "collaboration is fundamental and necessary."

In this context, he stressed that the Valencian Community "is aware that it can no longer count on fire seasons", since fires now "last from January to December". "We have to focus throughout the year," she stressed.

"This 2023 has been a clear example of how fires have affected our territory in months where we did not expect them to do so," he stated, which is why he has called for awareness of this situation to be "prevented and prepared for any situation" during "all months of the year.

Finally, it has highlighted the work of the nearly 150 members of the Military Emergency Unit (UME) and the Civil Guard agents deployed in the area. The UME, he specified, is working to try to widen the roads in the fire area so that "all the machinery" and firefighters can access them to work "in a more direct way" to fight the fires. flames and contain their advance.