Chile police arrest suspect over deadly wildfires

Police in south-central Chile have arrested a man on suspicion of starting one of the recent wildfires that killed 21 people and razed entire neighborhoods, the government said Wednesday. Security Minister said the suspect used a liquid accelerant to start fires in a wheat field, with authorities seizing five liters of fuel from him.

He was arrested at dawn in the town of Perquenco in Araucania region, south of Biobio. The fires began simultaneously on Saturday in various parts of Biobio and Nuble regions. The government said it would pay compensation of $700 to $1,500 to victims.