Suspect arrested in deadly Chile wildfires

Police in south-central Chile have detained a man suspected of starting one of the wildfires that killed 21 people and devastated entire neighborhoods, the government said on Wednesday, AFP reported.

Security Minister Luis Cordero stated that the suspect allegedly used a liquid accelerant to ignite fires in a wheat field. Authorities seized more than five liters of fuel during the arrest, which took place at dawn in the town of Perquenco in the Araucania region, south of Biobio.

The fires broke out simultaneously on Saturday in the Biobio and Nuble regions, located about 500 kilometers south of Santiago. Fueled by strong winds and high temperatures, the blazes rapidly spread through coastal towns such as Penco, Lirquen, and Punta de Parra, leaving widespread destruction and smoldering ruins.

Interior Minister Alvaro Elizalde said approximately 20,000 people suffered property damage, with around 800 homes destroyed. President Gabriel Boric visited Biobio on Wednesday, noting that heavy machinery was being used to clear streets and continue firefighting efforts. “We’re still in a state of emergency,” he said.

Other fires were reported further inland in Florida, Biobio, and in Araucania. Authorities recovered substances used to start fires, including plastic containers with accelerant, in Concepcion. Firefighters were still battling 35 blazes across Biobio, Nuble, and Araucania, though a recent drop in temperatures has helped reduce fire intensity.

The government announced compensation ranging from $700 to $1,500 for victims, while aid such as portable toilets and generators reached affected areas. Municipal workers and private companies assisted families living in the ruins of their homes in Lirquen.

Earlier, in February 2024, wildfires near the coastal resort of Vina del Mar killed 138 people. Investigations later revealed that the fires had been accidentally started by firefighters and forestry personnel, spreading rapidly due to high summer temperatures.

Stabil.Az