Greek authorities announced the arrest of a 35-year-old Israeli national on suspicion of starting a wildfire on the island of Crete, as the country battled a seasonal spurt of deadly blazes.

The man, who was not named, was accused of lighting a barbecue in a forested area near the town of Rethimno on Crete’s northern coast, despite a burn ban being in effect across the island, according to the E-Kathimerini news site.

According to Walla, authorities suspect that embers from the barbecue were carried by high winds from the guesthouse where he was staying, sparking the fire.

He was accused of negligent arson.

Firefighters managed to get the blaze under control after four hours, according to the report.

Last week, the Greek fire service announced that more than 280 people have been arrested in Greece this year so far over fire-related offenses. The figure is down on the previous two years, after the Greek government toughened penalties against those found guilty of........

© The Times of Israel