Fire leaves 25 people homeless in Conchalí, arson suspected

SANTIAGO.- Six houses were completely destroyed, leaving close to 25 people homeless, after a massive blaze was intentionally started in the El Cortijo neighborhood, located in the municipality of Conchalí.

According to Radio Cooperativa, seven fire-fighting departments arrived at the scene to combat the flames, which began in a home constructed with lightweight materials –which helped the fire to spread more quickly—located on Pasaje Algarrobo.

Residents in the area stated that a group of drug addicts lived in the home where the blaze began and indicated that this was not the first time the house had been affected by a fire, leading them to believe that the residents were responsible.

43 year-old José Miguel Mandujano, one of the residents of the home where the fire began, suffered injuries and was taken to the San José Hospital. The man is currently being detained by police as the prime suspect of the crime. According to police, the man has a record of prior arson-related activity.