14-year-old boy admitted to deliberately starting several fires in Portugal

Lisbon: A 14-year-old boy has admitted to starting several fires in Portugal by traveling to forested areas on a scooter and using matches to light a fire, in an interview with police.

And officers believe he may have been responsible for the fires in Seidões, Ardegão and Arnozela, foreign media write, reports Telegraph.

“The minor may have acted out of anger and frustration, given his poor performance at school and the apparent insecurity of his social relationships,” the national criminal police, Polícia Judiciária, said in a statement, adding that they had not ruled out the possibility that the boy acted as part of a group.

Police launched an investigation after fires started repeatedly in the same areas.

“During the summer period, these areas were systematically destroyed by forest fires, sometimes daily, causing concern to the local population,” the police statement said.

The Judicial Police of Braga, which conducted the investigation, handed over the case to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which will then take it to the Family and Children’s Court.

By August 20, police had arrested 52 people on suspicion of arson.

The data, compiled by the Lusa news agency, showed that most of the arrests were carried out in August.