On Friday, two people were arrested for believed to have caused a megafire It devastated several towns in the coastal region of Valparaiso, Chile, last February, leaving 137 people dead and thousands of homes destroyed.

The authorities announced the first arrest at a press conference and correspond 22 year old firefighter who, according to local media, was a volunteer at the institution more than a year ago in Plasilla’s 13th company in Valparaiso, 110 kilometers northwest of Santiago.

“Field work, evidence collection, analysis and cross-referencing of information allowed detect, establish behavior patterns and geographical publications on the movements of (the detained firefighter),” Police Investigation Director (PDI) Eduardo Cerna said at a press conference.

Chilean Interior Minister Carolina Toja stated that “there is convincing evidence of all kinds in this case” and that “This is an ongoing investigation.but in those hours he took a vital step.”

Toha assured that the investigation will allow us to clarify the situation. “As a person in this institution, there was such behavior.” and asked that the case “not tarnish (the fire service’s) role and recognition in Chilean society.”

The second arrest was confirmed on social networks by the Valparaiso prosecutor’s office, indicating that Both of those arrested will face formal charges..

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Chile lived in early February deadliest wave of fires in history and which became the worst tragedy since the 2010 earthquake.

The fire began on February 2 in four simultaneous outbreaks in the Peñuelas Lake Natural Park. spreads quickly due to strong gusts of wind and the extreme temperatures of those days in the hills surrounding the city of Viña del Mar, which also affected the towns of Quilpue and Villa Alemana, located in the Valparaiso region.

High population densities in inaccessible terrain, as well as long-term drought in Chile, have complicated the extinction problem.

The regional governor, Rodrigo Mundaca, in statements to the media, recalled that the authorities suspected the intent of arson from the very beginning, and stressed that “the loss of 137 lives is irreparable harm and deserves the maximum penalty.“.

“All of us Viñamarinos knew that this was a deliberate attack,” Viña del Mar Mayor Macarena Ripamonti said. (EFE)