Francisco Mondaca : Chile volunteer firefighter accused of deadly fire

A Chilean judge on Saturday ordered the detention of a volunteer firefighter and a former forestry official for allegedly planning and causing a devastating 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 carried out.

The main suspect, 22-year-old volunteer firefighter Francisco Mondaca, is accused of physically starting the fire. Chief prosecutor Osvaldo Ossandón revealed that flares and fireworks were discovered in Mondaca’s vehicle. The other suspect, former National Forest Corporation employee Franco Pinto, is believed to have planned the crime.

Regional prosecutor Claudia Perivancich stated that evidence suggests the two men had premeditated the fire, agreeing to carry out the act under suitable weather conditions. Prosecutors suspect an economic motive behind the plot, aiming to generate more work in fighting fires. They have not ruled out the possibility of additional accomplices.

Valparaiso Fire Department commander Vicente Maggiolo expressed dismay over the situation, labeling it as an isolated incident that should not overshadow the department’s longstanding efforts in saving lives. He assured that the department, operational for over 170 years, remains dedicated to its mission.

Christian Little, executive director of the forestry department, described the detention of a former official as a setback for the agency. Both the fire department and forestry agency have pledged to enhance their hiring procedures in light of the incident.

The devastating megafire ignited on February 2 in the Lago Peñuelas nature reserve in central Chile, ravaging several communes and destroying over 10,000 homes. Regarded as Chile’s worst tragedy since the 2010 magnitude 8.8 earthquake that claimed over 500 lives, the fire serves as a stark reminder of the destructive potential of man-made disasters.