Authorities in Patras, western Greece, have arrested three men over suspected arson in the Achaia region within the past 24 hours, as wildfires continue to threaten rural and forested areas.

The most recent arrest involved a 25-year-old man caught in the act of trying to start a fire in the district of Girokomeio. Witnesses reportedly saw him crouching in a field, attempting to ignite dry vegetation, and recorded the scene in photos and videos before calling police. The suspect allegedly lit the blaze and tried to flee on a motorcycle, but was intercepted and arrested shortly before 6 p.m.

Witnesses reportedly saw the man bending down in a field and trying to ignite a new blaze in a rural, wooded area. They photographed and filmed the incident before calling police.

According to local reports, the suspect lit the fire and then attempted to escape on his motorcycle. Police officers intercepted and arrested him shortly before 6 p.m.

Two more arrests are linked to a fire that broke out on Wednesday in the Sychaina district of Patras. A 19-year-old suspect has reportedly confessed to starting that blaze, telling police how he and a 27-year-old co-suspect moved in the area before the fire began.

Investigators say a witness claimed to have seen the pair throwing a bottle, which was later recovered and is believed to have contained a flammable substance. Police sources also report that the 27-year-old was found carrying a backpack with a lighter and a mobile phone when he approached the Sychaina fire scene. He has so far denied any involvement.

An investigation is underway by the Patras Division for the Prosecution and Detection of Crimes