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26-05-2024
SANTIAGO: Chilean authorities have arrested a firefighter and a forestry worker on suspicion of starting the fire which killed at least 137 people in February.
One of the men was employed by the National Forestry Corporation which is responsible for fighting forest fires, police director Eduardo Cerna said.
The suspects have been remanded in custody, charged with arson resulting in death.
The fire was country’s deadliest devastated the Valparaíso region, which is more than 122km (75 miles) from Chile’s capital, Santiago.
Officials allege that several fires were started simultaneously, after which high temperatures and wind caused the flames to spread.
More than 16,000 people were affected by the fire which destroyed homes and devastated the region, which is home to Vina del Mar, a popular holiday destination.
Commenting on the arrest of the firefighter, Vicente Maggiolo, commander of the 13th Fire Company in Valparaiso, told local media: “We are completely devastated by what happened, it is a totally isolated incident.
“We have served Valparaiso for more than 170 years and cannot allow such things.”
Prosecutor Osvaldo Ossandon said: “There were approximately four outbreaks, equidistant from each other.”
He said materials used to start the blazes were found in the home of one of the suspects, adding that investigators are examining possible links to other arson attacks.
At least 112 people were killed by forest fires in Chile’s Valparaiso region, local authorities have said.
President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency and said he would make “all necessary resources” available to tackle the situation.
It is believed to be Chile’s deadliest forest fire on record. Many of those affected were visiting the coastal region during the summer holidays.
A health alert was put in place in Valparaíso by the health ministry.
The ministry called for the suspension of elective surgeries and authorized temporary field hospitals to be set up.
Medicine students nearing the end of their studies will be hired to help ease pressures on the health service, the ministry announced in the same statement.
Rescue services have struggled to reach the most badly affected areas and Interior Minister Carolina Toha said the death toll would “reach much higher figures” in the coming hours.
The Chilean government has urged people not to travel to the areas hit by the fires.
A 61-year-old resident from El Olivar described the ordeal as “hell”.
Speaking to media, Rodrigo Pulgar said he tried to help his neighbor but then realized that his own house had started to burn.
“Ash was raining down on us,” Pulgar added.
He explained that most residents in El Olivar are older people, and said his neighbor died because they couldn’t get her out.
The housing ministry said between 3,000 and 6,000 houses were impacted by the fires.
On Saturday, a curfew was put in place for those in Vina del Mar, Limache, Quilpue and Villa Alemana.
Boric said the curfew will help free up routes and allow emergency vehicles to reach affected areas.
Some 1,400 firefighters are being deployed on Sunday, the interior minister said in an address to the nation. (Int’l Monitoring Desk)
