A wave of vehicle fires has unsettled residents and local authorities in Los Cristianos, in the south of Tenerife, as a suspected arsonist remains at large. Since the beginning of the year, at least twelve cars have been set on fire, leaving the community on edge. While similar incidents have occurred sporadically in other nearby areas, such as Valle San Lorenzo and Las Galletas, the situation in Los Cristianos appears more deliberate and concentrated.
The most recent incident occurred at the Los Cristianos 3 building over the weekend, where three cars were completely destroyed. Previous fires have been reported on Calle Berna, Avenida Noruega, and near the local post office.
Local Police sources indicate that the incidents in Los Cristianos are likely linked, although no official connection has been confirmed. Residents have taken matters into their own hands by sharing photos and descriptions of a person they believe may be responsible. This individual has reportedly been seen in the vicinity of the fires, dressed in black, wearing a black cap, and carrying a suitcase and a red petrol can.
Security camera footage obtained by local news outlet Diario de Avisos shows a man matching this description near several of the fire locations. Despite these sightings, the suspect has not yet been identified or apprehended.
Alexis Gómez, Arona's Councillor for Security, stated that authorities are actively following leads and have increased police patrols in affected areas. However, he did not confirm whether the suspect is acting alone or if others are involved. In response to the ongoing incidents, the local branch of the PSOE political party has called for an urgent meeting of the local security board, which has not convened in several years.
The first major fire in Los Cristianos was reported earlier this year on Calle Berna, where three cars were set ablaze simultaneously. Just a month later, two more vehicles caught fire in the same area. More recently, a fire on Calle Ático destroyed three cars and spread to nearby palm trees. The growing number of incidents has led many residents to avoid parking their cars on the street, with some seeking secure garage spaces out of fear that their vehicles may also be targeted.
Members of the community have expressed frustration over what they perceive as a lack of response from authorities. One resident whose car was burned on Avenida Noruega, has gathered photos and videos of the suspect from local security cameras.
He has criticized the authorities for failing to reach out to affected residents, stating, "No one has contacted us." According to him, the suspect was recently seen again in different clothing but still carrying the same suitcase. "This person is very careful. During the latest incident, they avoided making noise by not dragging the suitcase on the ground," Risco added.
The incidents have been escalated to the courts, and the Guardia Civil is now in charge of the investigation. Gómez emphasized that due to the sensitive nature of the case, few details have been made public to avoid compromising the inquiry. However, he confirmed that additional local police patrols are now in place.
Although there are similarities between these incidents and a separate series of arson attacks in Vilaflor, where a man was arrested in July for allegedly starting 15 fires affecting both vehicles and agricultural land, Gómez dismissed any connection between the two cases. He explained that the fires in Los Cristianos are more targeted, while the Vilaflor case involved a broader scope of damage, including communications infrastructure on Guaza Mountain.
For now, the community of Los Cristianos remains on high alert as the search for the suspected arsonist continues.
