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Firefighter from La Cruz Arrested for Alleged Intentional Arson in Pocochay

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The Investigative Police (PDI) arrested a 33-year-old firefighter, identified by the initials F.A.M.H., accused of causing a forest fire in the El Naranjal sector of Pocochay, in the commune of La Cruz, Valparaíso region. The Guarantee Court of La Calera, under Judge Roberto Lizana, declared the arrest legal while the corresponding investigations are carried out.

The incident occurred on Sunday, December 7th and affected approximately 5,000 square meters, consuming 400 meters of barbed wire, 70 fence posts, native forest specimens, and agricultural land, with damages estimated at $5 million pesos by the property owner.

As explained by prosecutor Juan Sebastián De La Fuente, the case was clarified thanks to a video received by Superintendent Ángelo Escobar, which shows a gray Chevrolet Aveo vehicle throwing an incendiary object on El Naranjal Road, after which the fire started. Subsequently, the commander of the La Cruz Fire Department, Mauricio Arancibia, identified the car as belonging to a volunteer from the institution.

"The cameras confirmed that the vehicle passed by, it was observed throwing something, and then the fire started," stated the prosecutor. During the investigation, the vehicle was searched, and a lighter and a camping gas canister were found. The accused admitted to the facts before the PDI, stating that he had acted recklessly by throwing the object that caused the fire.

The Prosecutor's Office requested an extension of the firefighter's detention to conduct a final expert examination confirming the vehicle's presence at the scene of the incident. The judge authorized extending the detention for 24 hours, and the formal hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, December 10th at 11:30 AM.

In a statement published on Instagram, the La Cruz Fire Department expressed its concern and clarified that these events do not represent the values or principles of the institution, which are based on selfless service and community protection. Following the discovery, the volunteer was removed from his duties, and a complaint was filed with the Public Prosecutor's Office to clarify the facts and apply sanctions.

The institution emphasized that this episode does not reflect the daily work of its other volunteers, who dedicate time and effort to protecting lives and property in the commune of La Cruz.