Chilean police arrested a suspect involved in a wildfire in the south-central region that claimed 21 lives. The suspect used oil to accelerate the fire in wheat fields, causing severe blazes across three provinces. Approximately 800 homes were destroyed, and more than 20,000 residents were affected.
On 22 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Luis Cordero, Chile's Minister of Security, announced that police had arrested a male suspect linked to a major wildfire in the south-central region. The fire killed at least 21 people and destroyed entire communities.
Authorities revealed that the suspect used fuel oil to accelerate the fire, igniting wheat fields. Officials seized about 5 liters (over one gallon) of fuel during the early morning arrest in Perquenco, Araucanía region, south of Biobío.
The wildfire broke out simultaneously last Saturday in multiple locations across Biobío and Ñuble regions, about 500 kilometers from Santiago. Driven by strong winds and high temperatures, the fire rapidly spread, burning coastal towns such as Penco, Lirquén, and Punta de Parra, leaving only blackened ruins.
Alvaro Elizalde, Minister of the Interior, stated in a press briefing that about 20,000 people suffered property damage, with at least 800 homes destroyed by the fire.
On the same day, President Gabriel Boric visited Biobío region, saying the government is deploying heavy machinery to clear roads, remove debris, and continue firefighting efforts. He emphasized that the situation remains a state of emergency.
According to the National Forestry Agency, firefighters were still battling 35 wildfire spots on the previous Wednesday: 22 in Biobío, 5 in Ñuble, and 8 in Araucanía. However, recent temperature drops have begun to ease the fire's intensity.
Source: AFP