Most of the fires were brought under control as Italy reeled under a record heat wave along with the rest of Europe, the local authorities said.

Dozens of fires were extinguished in Naples in the south, and a severe blaze close to the town of Sorrento brought under control, a spokesman noted.

Police arrested several people suspected of starting the fires, including a 63-year old man from Naples, believed to be behind a blaze in a pine forest south of Rome Saturday. The authorities said they had discovered one thousand euros in his pockets, leading them to believe he had been paid to start the fire. Two youths were also apprehendedin the same region.

About 60 hectares (150 acres) of forest land, mostly scrub and olive trees, were destroyed by the flames close to Terni, 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of the capital.

A record heatwave has left Europe prone to fires, with large swathes of forests and scrub destroyed in many European countries.

TERRA.WIRE