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A FORMER firefighter has been accused of starting a blaze that killed 137 people so that he could be praised as a hero and paid overtime for putting it out.
There were four fatal fires that erupted at the same time in a forest in Chile near the coastal city of Vina del Mar in February.
Firefighters work at site of the huge forest blazeJavier TORRES/AFP
Smoke rises as the fire draws to close to homesGetty Images
Homes seen destroyed after the fire ripped through the villageJAVIER TORRES/AFP
Volunteers deliver community aid to affected residentsJAVIER TORRES/AFPThe suspect, 39, is accused of starting at least one of them.
He was a volunteer who worked for Chile’s National Service for Disaster Protection.
Prosecutors believe he helped spark the huge blaze because “he likes to be a hero, participating and helping in emergencies”.
According to local media, the “hero” title was previously bestowed upon him for his role containing a previous fire.
Members of the community were said to be delighted with his “fast” action despite how he rushed to the blaze without official orders.
He was later “disciplined” by the fire service, BBC reported.
The firefighter is the third person arrested in connection with the catastrophe.
One of the two others is also a firefighter, and with the third a park ranger.
That pair have been kept in custody since May.
Police allege the trio drew up a plan to stage their heroic save-the-day moment together.
The detained firefighter has said that in addition to earning the community’s awe, they thought they’d be paid overtime.
He said he lit cigarettes and hurled them out of his car.
The blaze began to burn at a national park, but high winds and land dried by hot temperatures rapidly fuelled the fire.
It quickly spread to surrounding hills and towns, ripping through thousands of homes.
The coastal region is a South American holiday hotspot and was said to be busy with people trying to catch a break from the hot weather.
Authorities have long suspected it was deliberately lit.
According to AP, local fire commander Vicente Maggiolo said: “We are very dismayed by the situation.”
But he said was an isolated incident, adding: “We have been saving lives for more than 170 years.”
The fire department has said it will review its hiring procedure in the wake of the allegations.
The blaze is considered a huge tragedy in Chile – the worst since a crushing earthquake killed more than 500 in 2010.
A view of houses destroyed by the fireGetty Images
A fire truck rushes to contain the blazeRODRIGO ARANGUA/AFP
A destroyed vehicle amid the fire falloutGetty Images
Firefighters rescue rabbits in the zone of the fire in the hillsJavier TORRES/AFP
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