Pre-trial detention ordered for suspects in deadly Chile fire

SANTIAGO: A Chilean court on Saturday ordered the pre-trial detention of two men accused of starting a massive fire earlier this year that left 137 people dead in the resort city of Vina del Mar.

Police had announced Friday the arrests of volunteer firefighter Ignacio Mondaca, 22, and forestry official Franco Pinto, who have been ordered held behind bars for six months.

"There was direct malice in causing the fire and, at least, eventual malice in the result of death," Magistrate Jeanette Oliva said in her ruling.

Several fires broke out simultaneously on February 2 around the coastal city of Vina del Mar located 70 miles (110 kilometers) northwest of Chile's capital Santiago.

The inferno, the second deadliest in the world this century, was fueled by winds and a heatwave that saw temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

Materials used to start the fire were found in the house of one of the suspects, authorities have said. Investigators were also probing potential links to other arson incidents.