– Volunteer firefighter accused of starting fatal fire
– Firefighter accused in deadly blaze incident.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Two men have been arrested in connection with the devastating fire that swept through Valparaiso, Chile, in February, claiming 137 lives and leaving 16,000 people homeless. The court in Valparaiso has ruled that the suspects, Francisco Mondaca, a 22-year-old volunteer firefighter, and Franco Pinto, a former employee of the National Forest Corporation, can be held for 180 days while investigations are carried out.
Chief prosecutor Osvaldo Ossandon revealed that Mondaca, the main suspect, is accused of physically starting the fire and was found with flares and fireworks in his vehicle. Pinto, on the other hand, is believed to have planned the crime. Investigators have evidence suggesting that the two men had premeditated the act, agreeing to carry it out under suitable weather conditions.
According to Mondaca’s testimony, the motive behind the arson was economic, with the intention of creating more work in fighting fires. Prosecutors have not ruled out the possibility of more individuals being involved in the crime. The regional prosecutor for Valparaiso, Claudia Perivancich, stated that both suspects face serious charges related to the tragedy.
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 reflect on the department’s overall work. He highlighted the long history of the fire department in saving lives for over 170 years.
Christian Little, executive director of the forestry department, described the arrest of a former official as a painful development for the agency. Both the fire department and forestry agency have pledged to tighten their hiring procedures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Impact of the Fire
The fire, which began on February 2 in the Lago Penuelas nature reserve, burned for several days, destroying more than 10,000 homes. It is considered Chile’s worst tragedy since the devastating earthquake in 2010 that claimed over 500 lives.
The arrests of Mondaca and Pinto shed light on the serious consequences of arson and the importance of preventing such crimes in the future. Authorities are working diligently to ensure justice is served for the victims of the Valparaiso fire.
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volunteer firefighter accused causing fire killed people
volunteer firefighter accused causing deadly blaze.
