Tenerife Arson Trial: Neighbor Faces 18 Years for Blazing Apartment Block
A Tenerife woman faces an 18-year prison sentence for allegedly starting a fire in an apartment building, which caused extensive damage and required the treatment of several residents.
A fire in a Tenerife apartment building could have ended in tragedy. Several residents had to be treated by paramedics, and most homes in the five-story building were damaged.
Police investigating the fire believe it wasn't an accident and have arrested a neighbor as the alleged perpetrator. She has been remanded in custody and will stand trial next week at the Provincial Court of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Prosecutors are seeking an 18-year prison sentence for alleged arson. If convicted, she will also be banned from approaching the building for 10 years after serving her sentence. Both the prosecution and lawyers representing residents and insurance companies are demanding over 58,000 euros in compensation for the damage caused to homes, a commercial space, and common areas.
Prosecutors allege the woman, who sublet rooms in her apartment, started the fire. The blaze endangered many residents, including elderly individuals with mobility issues. The incident reportedly began at night when the woman set a plastic bottle on fire in the kitchen. When another tenant warned her, she allegedly responded, "My saint is going to have fire today."
Later, she is accused of starting a second, larger fire in a storage room filled with flammable items like furniture and clothing, possibly using an accelerant. The indictment states she used a lighter, matches, or a candle.
The accused then returned to the kitchen, while the fire spread to a bedroom. One tenant, alerted by the heat and smell, left his room as flames engulfed it. He was unaware of the intensity of the smoke, which made visibility inside the apartment extremely difficult.
After washing her hands, the woman alerted the tenant who had locked himself in the bedroom. They escaped the apartment and began warning other residents.
The fire spread quickly, with smoke reaching upper floors, trapping residents on balconies and rooftops until firefighters arrived. One resident, who tried to extinguish the fire with an extinguisher, was treated for smoke inhalation and taken to the hospital. Others received medical attention at the scene.
The total cost of the damage is estimated at 58,716.75 euros. While insurance has covered most repairs, one resident has not yet received compensation, leading prosecutors to demand the insurance company reimburse her.
The accused remains in custody. Prosecutors consider the act serious arson and are requesting an 18-year prison sentence and a restraining order. Repair costs for individual apartments range from 669 to 7,217 euros, with common area repairs costing 29,708 euros.