Nicolás Heredia, a volunteer firefighter detained on February 5, was handed over to the police by unknown individuals who invited him to get into a truck. Fabián, another firefighter detained that day, mentioned that Nicolás had worked with them. In a hearing, the judges stated that the information provided by the prosecution was deemed sufficient, which included testimonies about the discovery of a bottle with diesel near Nicolás.
The young man joined other firefighters to fight fires on February 5 and then went out to distribute food among those battling the flames. While he remains detained, his mother, Sandra, receives support from the community. Two firefighters detained alongside Nicolás were released the following day. Sandra recounted the difficulties she faces in visiting her son, who has been accused of attempted arson.
Despite the lack of evidence against him, Nicolás was remanded in preventive detention for 30 days. On Friday, February 21, the court decided not to grant him release. The detention occurred when Nicolás encountered the fires in El Bolsón. According to his mother, if it were not for that situation, he would be waiting on the street for his release.
Amid the investigation into the fires in La Comarca Andina, there are reports of neighbors being persecuted and the need to examine Nicolás's cellphone. Firefighters report that they are being criminalized while attempting to extinguish the fire and lament the lack of support from authorities. Nicolás's mother emphasizes her son's natural solidarity and questions the reasons for his preventive detention.
