Viña del Mar

Officials have accused the 39-year-old man of being responsible for at least one of the four blazes which broke out almost simultaneously around the city of Viña del Mar on 2 February.

They spread to the hills surrounding Viña del Mar and the towns of Quilpué and Villa Alemana, destroying thousands of homes.

More than 16,000 people were affected by the fire which destroyed homes and devastated the region, which is home to Vina del Mar, a popular holiday destination.

As a fast-moving wildfire swept through the cities of Viña del Mar and Quilpué on Chile’s Pacific Coast last month, flames engulfed residents on the street, destroyed homes and overwhelmed the utility grid.

In the Valparaiso region, which includes Viña del Mar and Quilpué, forest fire experts say unregulated development has made cities and towns particularly vulnerable to wildfires.