Chile firefighter accused in February blaze that killed 137 / Photo: RODRIGO ARANGUA - AFP/File
-
وكالة الفضاء الأوروبية تطلق بيانات «إقليدس» لرسم خريطة كونية تضم 900 مليون مجرة
-
Tamil Film 'Arivu' Selected for 57th International Film Festival of India
-
Suede and Manic Street Preachers Deliver Electrifying Co-Headline Performance at Motorpoint Arena
-
أسعار الديزل في الولايات المتحدة تنخفض دون 6 دولارات لأول مرة منذ شهرين
-
Trump Reduces Public Appearances Amid CIA-Mossad Warnings of Iranian Drone Plot
-
Why Wind Farms Paint One Turbine Blade Black to Protect Birds
-
Make-A-Wish Announces 2026 Starblazer Award Honorees; Allied World Becomes First Corporate Founder
-
Dianna Russini Seeks Super Bowl Radio Row Credential Amid Media Return
-
فنان من غزة يفوز بجائزة "كاتب الشجاعة" البريطانية
-
Clare Luvanga Leads Washington Spirit to Third Straight NWSL Championship with 2-1 Win
-
عصام غالب عواد: الفلسطيني في قفص الاتهام.. حين يُجبر صاحب المأساة على الاعتذار قبل أن يرويها
-
Malta Stuns Sweden with Late Penalty Comeback in Rugby Europe Trophy
-
Chelsea Transfer News: Real Betis Star Jose Antonio Morante Rejects Move to Stamford Bridge
-
BingX: Major Announcement of Far-Reaching Significance
-
إيطاليا تؤكد دعمها الكامل لانضمام ألمانيا لبرنامج المقاتلات العالمية
-
أونروا تحذر من أزمة إنسانية في غزة بسبب القيود على الإغاثة
-
الرئيس عباس في ذكرى الاستقلال: حق فلسطين لا يسقط بالتقادم والشباب ركيزة البناء
-
Big Brother’s Omar El Mayer Addresses Backlash, Confirms Relationship with Rhianna Collins
Chile firefighter accused in February blaze that killed 137
A firefighter was arrested Friday in Chile on suspicion of starting a blaze in February that killed 137 people in the resort city of Vina del Mar, authorities said.
"An arrest warrant was issued today against the person who started the fires in February in the Valparaiso region," where Vina del Mar is located, police director Eduardo Cerna told a news conference.
Several fires broke out simultaneously on February 2 around the coastal city of Vina del Mar, 70 miles (110 kilometers) northwest of Chile's capital Santiago.
The inferno, the second deadliest in the world this century, was fueled by winds and a heatwave that saw temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
Local media reported the firefighter is a 22-year-old man who joined the volunteer force a year and a half ago.
"We are completely devastated by what happened, it is a totally isolated incident... we have served Valparaiso for more than 170 years and cannot allow such things," Vicente Maggiolo, commander of the 13th Fire Company of the city of Valparaiso, told reporters.
- Certainty -
Public Ministry investigators found the inferno started with small simultaneous blazes near Lake Penuelas, in the port city of Valparaiso next to Vina del Mar. Hot and windy weather quickly spread the flames.
"There were approximately four outbreaks, equidistant from each other," prosecutor Osvaldo Ossandon said.
Materials used to start the fire were found in the suspect's house, he said. Investigators were also probing potential links to other arson incidents.
It was unclear what the suspect's motive was.
"All of us ... knew that this had been an intentional attack," Vina del Mar Mayor Macarena Ripamonti said. "Today we can have that degree of certainty."
Firefighters had been unable to reach the fire due to lack of roads or were stuck on narrow city streets lined with charred cars.
"This is, first and foremost, an act of justice and reparation to those who lost their lives in the fire, to their families, to those who lost all their property, their sources of work and struggle to this day," Interior Minister Carolina Toha said.
W.Mansour--SF-PST
