A 14-year-old boy admitted to starting several fires in Portugal using matches in forest areas.
He rode his scooter to Seidões, Ardegão, and Arnozela before setting the blazes.
Police said the boy acted out of frustration from poor school performance and difficulty making friends.
Authorities Deepen Investigation
Investigators noted repeated fires in the same parishes during summer, alarming residents and destroying hectares of woodland.
Police did not dismiss the possibility of the boy acting with others.
The Braga Judicial Police transferred the case to prosecutors, who will present it to the Family and Children’s Court.
By 20 August, police had already detained 52 suspects for arson, with most arrests made that month.
Firefighters Battle Ongoing Blazes
On Friday morning, emergency services reported 97 fires still burning but mostly contained.
The fire in Vinhais remained dangerous, forcing deployment of 400 firefighters, 140 vehicles, and six planes.
The blaze, active since Tuesday, spread on three fronts, one difficult for crews to reach.
Cooler weather helped firefighters, though IPMA kept much of Portugal under maximum wildfire risk alert.
