Chile arrests ex-firefighter with 'hero' motive over deadly blaze / Photo: RODRIGO ARANGUA - AFP/File
NYSE - LSE
| RBGPF | 100% | 61.75 | $ | |
| SCS | -0.93% | 12.89 | $ | |
| GSK | -1.02% | 38.16 | $ | |
| BP | 0.44% | 31.47 | $ | |
| BCC | -2.78% | 137.9 | $ | |
| RIO | -0.63% | 64.95 | $ | |
| AZN | -1.06% | 77.44 | $ | |
| CMSC | -0.53% | 24.65 | $ | |
| BTI | -0.73% | 34.25 | $ | |
| RELX | -1.13% | 47.63 | $ | |
| NGG | -1.45% | 67.03 | $ | |
| CMSD | -0.68% | 24.87 | $ | |
| RYCEF | 0.27% | 7.42 | $ | |
| BCE | -0.45% | 33.39 | $ | |
| JRI | -0.53% | 13.15 | $ | |
| VOD | -1.35% | 9.63 | $ |
Chile arrests ex-firefighter with 'hero' motive over deadly blaze
Chilean police on Monday arrested a former fireman for allegedly contributing to a massive blaze that killed 137 people and destroyed thousands of homes in February because he wanted to be a "hero" by helping put it out.
The arrest of Elias Salazar, 39, adds to those of another volunteer firefighter and a forestry official suspected of involvement in the second deadliest inferno recorded in the world this century.
Several fires broke out simultaneously on February 2 around the coastal city of Vina del Mar, some 70 miles (110 kilometers) northwest of Chile's capital Santiago.
The inferno was fueled by winds and a heat wave that saw temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
Authorities had said from the start that the fires were likely set intentionally.
Salazar was once a volunteer firefighter and until his arrest an employee of the National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (Senapred).
Valparaiso police official Guillermo Galvez said Monday Salazar is accused as a "material author" in the events and for allegedly setting at least one of the fires.
About the motivation, Galvez said Salazar "likes to be a hero, participating and helping in emergencies."
He will appear in court on Tuesday charged with arson.
The other two suspects have been ordered held in pre-trial detention for six months.
O.Ratchford--NG
