137 victims : Chile Volunteer Firefighter Accused of Causing Deadly Fire: 137 Dead

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Chile wildfire tragedy
2. Volunteer firefighter arson Chile

A Chilean judge has ordered the detention of a volunteer firefighter and a former forestry official for allegedly causing a massive forest fire in Valparaiso, Chile, which resulted in 137 deaths and left 16,000 people homeless in February. The suspects, Francisco Mondaca and Franco Pinto, were arrested and are being held for 180 days while under investigation. Prosecutors believe the two men planned the fire in advance for economic gain. The Valparaiso Fire Department and forestry agency have expressed shock and are tightening hiring procedures. The devastating megafire, Chile’s worst tragedy since 2010, started in a nature reserve and destroyed thousands of homes.

Chilean Judge Detains Suspects in Devastating Forest Fire Case

In a shocking development, a Chilean judge has ordered the detention of a volunteer firefighter and a former forestry official for allegedly planning and causing a mammoth forest fire in the Valparaiso region that resulted in 137 deaths and left 16,000 people homeless in February. The court in Valparaiso ruled that the two men, who were arrested on Friday, could be held for 180 days while investigations are ongoing.

The Main Suspects

The chief prosecutor in the case, Osvaldo Ossandón, identified the main suspect as Francisco Mondaca, a 22-year-old volunteer firefighter in Valparaiso who is accused of physically starting the fire. He revealed that flares and fireworks were found in Mondaca’s vehicle. The other suspect, Franco Pinto, a former employee of the National Forest Corporation, is accused of planning the crime.

Evidence of Pre-Meditation

Regional prosecutor for Valparaiso, Claudia Perivancich, stated that investigators have evidence suggesting that the two suspects agreed in advance to carry out the crime when weather conditions were suitable. Prosecutors highlighted an economic motive behind the plot, aiming to provide more work in fighting fires. They have not ruled out the possibility of more individuals being involved in the scheme.

Reactions from Authorities

The commander of the Valparaiso Fire Department, Vicente Maggiolo, expressed dismay over the situation but emphasized that it was an isolated incident that should not tarnish the department’s reputation. He reassured the public that the fire department has a long history of saving lives. Christian Little, executive director of the forestry department, described the detention of a former official as a painful development for the agency.

Lessons Learned and Future Plans

Both the fire department and forestry agency have pledged to tighten their hiring procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The megafire, which began on February 2 in the Lago Peñuelas nature reserve in central Chile, burned several communes and destroyed over 10,000 homes. This tragedy is considered Chile’s worst since the devastating earthquake in 2010 that claimed over 500 lives.

In conclusion, the detention of the suspects has shed light on the importance of vigilance and accountability in preventing man-made disasters. The authorities are committed to ensuring justice for the victims and implementing measures to safeguard against such incidents in the future. The community remains united in mourning the lives lost and rebuilding what was destroyed in this tragic event.