In a shocking development, a Chilean judge has ordered the detention of a volunteer firefighter and a former forestry official for allegedly orchestrating and igniting a massive forest fire in the Valparaiso region. The blaze, which occurred in February, resulted in 137 fatalities and displaced 16,000 people. The court ruled that the two men, who were arrested on Friday, could be held for 180 days while the investigation proceeds. Chief prosecutor Osvaldo Ossandón revealed that Francisco Mondaca, a 22-year-old volunteer firefighter, is the primary suspect, with flares and fireworks found in his vehicle. The second suspect, Franco Pinto, a former employee of the National Forest Corporation, is accused of planning the devastating crime.
Regional prosecutor Claudia Perivancich stated that investigators have evidence indicating the men conspired to start the fire when weather conditions were favorable. This evidence suggests a premeditated plan to cause extensive damage and loss of life. The arrests have sent shockwaves through the community, as the region grapples with the aftermath of the fire and the horrifying revelation that those trusted to protect the land may have played a role in its destruction. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on seeking justice for the victims and understanding the motives behind such a catastrophic act.
