How arsonists used cats to spread Italy’s wildfires

Europe World Fri, 24 Jul 2026 02:58:43 GMT Moderate confidence — 74/100

As wildfires blazed in southern Italy this week, authorities probing for arson found a grisly clue: cats “with flammable-soaked rags tied to their tails.
” “These animals were released into the fields, running around and spreading the fire,” said Domenico Costarella of Calabria’s Civil Protection Agency in a video posted on Facebook on Tuesday.
He added that other pieces of evidence also pointed to arson, including candles lit among flammable rags and delayed ignition devices.

As wildfires blazed in southern Italy this week, authorities probing for arson found a grisly clue: cats “with flammable-soaked rags tied to their tails.
” “These animals were released into the fields, running around and spreading the fire,” said Domenico Costarella of Calabria’s Civil Protection Agency in a video posted on Facebook on Tuesday.
He added that other pieces of evidence also pointed to arson, including candles lit among flammable rags and delayed ignition devices.

Sources: CNN