Sicily firefighters suspected of setting blazes to get work
ROME — Fifteen firefighters in Sicily are suspected of deliberately setting fires or having friends or family call in false alarms so they could be called to work and earn money, police said Monday, announcing the arrest of the alleged ringleader.
The 15 firefighters are volunteers, but when called in off-duty they receive 10 euros (nearly $12) an hour in compensation from the Italian government.
Ragusa, Sicily, police official Antonino Ciavola said the fire department’s command centre tipped off authorities that one squad of off-duty firefighters was being disproportionally called to fight fires.
“Compared with 40 interventions from one squad, these volunteers were doing 120, sparking grumbling among some and the desire to join them by others, so they could get more money,” Ciavola said in a statement.