Burnt toilet paper sparks devastating wildfire: one dead, 2,500 evacuated and 3,000 hectares of forest ravaged.
We had to leave, wait until it's over and hope our house doesn't burn down
La Palma
A devastating wildfire was still out of control on Friday (August 5) on the Canary island of La Palma.
Police said they arrested a 27-year-old German who admitted sparking the blaze on Wednesday – accidentally, as he answered nature’s call and then burned the used toilet paper.
German man accidentally sparks wildfire in the Canary Islands after lighting toilet paper https://t.co/hLDQU8ROAqpic.twitter.com/khJ1GPOtrt
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) August 5, 2016
The fire has already ravaged more than 3,000 hectares in the centre of the volcanic island, known for its lush vegetation.
One park ranger died while fighting the flames, and more than 2,500 people have been evacuated.
One resident said: “There’s so much heat and ash in the air that we had to leave, wait until it’s over and hope our house doesn’t burn down.”
Wildfire claims life in Canary Islands https://t.co/jOkGlksmwnpic.twitter.com/9MdD9XIcXq
— euronews (@euronews) August 4, 2016
The last big fire on the island was in 2009, when four thousand people were evacuated.
La Palma is a popular tourist destination and this week’s wildfire comes at the height of a record summer holiday season.
Soldiers and fire-fighting planes have been deployed to contain the flames, fanned by strong winds and high summer temperatures.
Around 2,500 people evacuated from their homes as La Palma fire spreads https://t.co/xEkUWWxeRP#Spainpic.twitter.com/URDltoiYF7
— El País in English (@elpaisinenglish) August 5, 2016