A firefighter was arrested on suspicion of starting a fire that killed 137 people in February

A firefighter suspected of starting the fire that shocked the country in early February in the city of Viña del Mar, killing 137 people, was arrested in Chile on Friday.

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Police Director Eduardo Cerna announced today that an arrest warrant has been issued against the man who authored the February fires in Valparaiso, where the city of Viña del Mar is located. Investigation.

The fire started on February 2 around the town of Viña del Mar, located in the tourist area of ​​Valparaíso in central Chile.

According to the state prosecutor’s office, the fire started simultaneously from small fires near Penulas Lake, located near the tourist towns of Viña del Mar and Valparaiso.

The fire spread rapidly due to the heat and strong winds.

According to official figures, in total, 137 people died and 16,000 were infected.

Mr. Cerna said.

According to local media, the 22-year-old joined a volunteer fire brigade in Chile a year and a half ago.

“We are absolutely devastated by what has happened, this is a completely isolated incident […] We have been taking care of Valparaiso for more than 170 years and we cannot allow things like this,” 13th Commander Vicente Maggiolo told reporters.^e Valparaiso City Fire Company.

Evidence from the suspect

From the beginning, local authorities said it was arson.

“All Viña del Mar residents knew it was a voluntary act […] Today we can be so sure,” declared Macarena Ribamonti, the mayor of the city.

Firefighters were unable to put out the fire due to the absence of roads or being stuck in the city’s narrow lanes.

“There were about four explosions, equidistant from each other,” said Osvaldo Osanton, a prosecutor specializing in fires.

Elements of his arson were found in the house of the arrested suspect and investigations are underway to determine if he was involved in previous fires, the prosecutor added.

The arrest was an “act of justice […] For those who lost their lives in the fire and their families, for those who lost all their belongings and jobs and are still struggling,” said Home Minister Carolina Doha.