Police charge German national in connection with fire in Bohemian Switzerland National Park

Police have filed charges against a German national in connection with Thursday's fire in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, police spokeswoman Veronika Hyšplerová told the ctk news agency. The man reportedly owned up to having bought and set off fireworks which started the blaze. He tested positive for alcohol, the police said. The local mayor has said he wants to ban the sale of fireworks in the area.

Nine firefighter units and a helicopter were called to the blaze, which broke out close to the Pravčická brána rock formation, one of the region’s most visited tourist attractions. Last year the Bohemian national park was ravaged by a fire that destroyed an area of over 1,000 hectares.