Chilean authorities link firefighter and another man to deadly wildfires

A firefighter and a forestry official have been taken into custody on suspicion of arson in Chile for the deadly wildfires which killed 137 people in February.

The wildfires spread over the central city of Vina del Mar and nearby areas along the sea.

Chilean law enforcement authorities said on Friday that one of the suspects is a 22-year old firefighter and the second suspect works for national forestry corporation of Chile.

The officials said that the suspects chose the optimal weather conditions such as strong winds for the spread of fire.

They added that the suspects lit fires at multiple locations to make it difficult for firefighters to attack them all.

The officials said that data from surveillance cameras and mobile phone records led to the two suspects.

They said that home-made fire-starting devices of cigarettes and matches tied together were found at the firefighter's residence.