Francisco Montaga | Vina del Mar | Chile: How a firefighter and ex-soldier caused massive fire in Valparaiso that killed 137 | The world of Franco Pinto

As unbelievable as it sounds, it was the worst fire in history Chile It was caused by a firefighter with the help of a former brigade member. That’s the conclusion reached by investigators about the origins of the tragedy that left 137 dead, thousands of homes destroyed and 16,000 injured in the region’s Viña del Mar city last February. Valparaiso.

Fireman Francisco Ignacio Montaga Mella22 years old, was arrested on Friday, May 24 by private officers Police Investigation (PDI). The prosecutor’s office charges him He who caused the fire. When his alleged accomplice Franco PintoHe will be an officer of the National Institute of Forestry (KONAF). The intellectual author of the incident.

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They are both inside Detention Jail and accused A deadly fire. Both could be sentenced to life in prison.

As recalled, on February 2, several fires broke out simultaneously in the vicinity Vina del Mar110 km northwest of Santiago, which later caused the worst tragedy Chile 550 people died in the 2010 earthquake.

A key piece of evidence found in a fire source

The fire broke out in four locations shortly after noon on Friday, February 2 Penulas Lake Natural Park It quickly spread to the mountains surrounding the city Vina del Mar He also jumped into cities Quillboo Y German VillaAll over the region ValparaisoDue to strong winds and extreme temperatures.

According to the newspaper ThirdAgreeing to an official investigation, PDI officers arrived at the scene of the fire on February 2, at the behest of the prosecutor’s office, as soon as the state of emergency was declared. F-718 was able to establish that there were four sources of fire along the route. The sections identified include Las Daguas, Antena de Melosilla, La Isla, and Las Tablas.

Two fires were extinguished a few meters from where the fire started, but sources 3 and 4 could not be extinguished and caused a major emergency. In Focus 3, researchers identified key sourcesLa Tercera pointed out.

“While inspecting the affected area, we were able to identify a device on the ground, between grass and leaves., presenting a product in its production,” says a PDI report accessed by La Tercera. It was a cigarette butt, surrounded by matches, tied with a thread.

The researchers’ report indicated that the mechanism found in the Focus 3 was not completely burned, but charred. “The fire did not go on itself, but progressed according to the availability of fuel,” the investigation maintained.

With this key resource, PDI tested how it worked and the damage this mechanism caused.

A similar mechanism was found intact at Montagu’s house last Friday, during a search after his arrest. Specifically, at Inside the cell phone case were discovered Cigarettes with many matches tied to them.

A clue to the fireman

After finding out The main test determined that Deliberately arson, investigators searched for potential witnesses and reviewed security cameras in the area. After hours of analyzing the images, they were able to find a list of cars in which they reached “two vehicles of interest”. A Fiat brand, gray and a white Suzuki S-PressoReview La Tercera.

Also supported by video images, the PDI On February 2, the tracks were reconstructed. So, they found the license plate Fiat They were also able to reach their driver, who was interviewed and said he was traveling through the fire area for work. The particular person has also provided important information that he was able to see a white car on February 2.

La Tercera says while the police were on patrol PlasillaThey saw The white Suzuki S-Presso they saw on the cameras did not have a license plate for it. It was stationed outside the 13th Blazilla Fire Company.

After getting the data of the vehicle, the police have conducted investigations regarding who was driving it. This is why they were able to reach firefighter Francisco MontagaA few weeks ago he was honored by his company for 12 months of active staff service.

The researchers followed up Montague To determine whom he frequented and which places he visited. They were able to determine that I have been a volunteer in the fire brigade for a year and a half. He also worked on events for singer DJ Mendes’ foundation in the area.

The agents also sought judicial authorization to trace the traffic of the calls Montague and the places it moved. Thus, they determined that he was inside on the afternoon of February 2nd Route F-718, where the fire started.

La Tercera reported that the phone number Montague He gave the details of his calls. The fireman called Franco PintoOfficer of National Forestry Corporation.

When they interrogated Pinto, they determined that he was already on the police radar because he testified that he was a witness to another fire in the Penulas Reserve where he worked. La Tercera notes that the photos he took of the incident at the time caught the attention of the police.

Once all the information is collected, Police and the prosecutor’s office reconstructed the tracks and georeferenced Montaga’s position at the location. of fires. Now, the file against him contains thousands of data and hundreds of pages that place him as the material author of the fire.

Oswaldo Osanton, a lawyer specializing in fire accidents, explained in the vehicle. Montague Sparks and firecrackers were seen.

According to the AP agency, the prosecutor’s office has now rejected precedents indicating mental health conditions. Pyromania Both prisoners and a pointed Economic motivation to make fire. It is based on the declaration that MontagueConfirmation that the other accused Franco PintoI would have told you about the greater advantage when there are several fires to ensure the work.

A member of the Konaf Brigade would have told him “If the fire season actually continues, more personnel will be hired, overtime is earned and (Conaf) contracts are extended. At this point, it’s important to highlight that firefighters are inside Chile They don’t get paid.

Pinto would have shown Montagka how to light a fire. Artisan making fire extinguishers.

“We have evidence that they previously agreed to this type of behavior when the astronomical conditions were disproportionately favorable for fire,” said Valparaiso’s regional attorney, Claudia Perivancich.

“We’re totally destroyed”

Montaga was arrested on Friday At the 13th Blazilla Fire Company. Sources in the case told the newspaper Wednesday His teammates “couldn’t believe it, they said he was a quiet guy.”

Superintendent Juan Paredes of the Valparaiso Fire Department maintained it “He had passed all his psychological tests.”

“We are completely devastated by what happened.. “This is a completely isolated incident and we want to clear it up as soon as possible,” said commander Vicente Maggiolo.

“We have been serving Valparaiso And we cannot allow such a situation, so we are going to issue a very strong statement,” he added.

For his part, Conaf’s managing director, Christian Little, said he was surprised and described the “pain” hitting the company and its staff as one of its former officials, who served the organization for 10 years. Fire season – this is really involved.

“Even though it’s very shocking, it’s good news,” Interior Minister Carolina Doha said on Saturday. “The fact that they are found and brought to justice is an act of reparation for the victims”. He added that there is a need to strengthen mechanisms to control the profile of entrants into these institutions.