Authorities near the central town of Viseu said they became suspicious of the 19-year-old guard because in recent weeks numerous fires had broken out near his post.

Police confronted him Tuesday after the latest fire erupted and he confessed, a police spokesman told the newspaper.

More than 30 suspected arsonists have been arrested in Portugal since the beginning of the year.

Wildfires have burned just under 105,000 hectares (just under 258,000 acres) in the country since the beginning of the year and Sunday, forest service figures show.

TERRA.WIRE