– Volunteer firefighter accused of starting deadly blaze
– Volunteer firefighter blamed for tragic fire incident.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Authorities in Valparaiso, Chile have arrested two men in connection with the devastating fire that caused 137 deaths and left 16,000 people homeless in February. The court in Valparaiso has ruled that the suspects, Francisco Mondaca and Franco Pinto, can be held for 180 days while investigations are carried out.
Suspects and Allegations
Chief prosecutor Osvaldo Ossandon has identified Francisco Mondaca, a 22-year-old volunteer firefighter in Valparaiso, as the main suspect. Mondaca is accused of physically starting the fire, with flares and fireworks found in his vehicle. The other suspect, Franco Pinto, a former employee of the National Forest Corporation, is accused of planning the crime.
Regional prosecutor Claudia Perivancich stated that evidence suggests the two men had planned the act in advance, waiting for suitable weather conditions. Mondaca confessed that there was an economic motive behind the plot, aimed at generating more work in fighting fires. Investigators have not ruled out the possibility of more individuals being involved in the crime.
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 in saving lives for over 170 years. Christian Little, executive director of the forestry department, described the detention of a former official as a setback for the agency and announced plans to tighten hiring procedures.
Tragic Consequences
The fire, which started on February 2 in the Lago Penuelas nature reserve in Chile’s central region, burned for several days, destroying more than 10,000 homes. It is considered the country’s worst tragedy since a magnitude 8.8 earthquake in 2010 that claimed over 500 lives.
Authorities have vowed to continue their investigations to uncover the full extent of the crime and bring justice to the victims and their families.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to your local news source.
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Volunteer firefighter accused of causing fatal fire
Volunteer firefighter accused of deadly blaze.
