MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Tragic fire sends P. Arenas landlords to 7 years in prison

The owner and manager (father and son) of a Punta Arenas lodge were sentenced to seven years in prison plus 300.000 US dollars in compensation to the families of ten passengers who died trapped when the building caught fire in February 2007.

The list includes the Argentine Rio Gallegos family of Esteban Torales, Jorgelina Diaz and their two children aged 7 and 9. It was later found out that Mrs. Torales was expecting twins. German citizens Philippe Kusell and his girl friend Jennifer Kusell; Petter Köning and his couple María Katharina plus Emily Charlotte Longworth from Canada and Australian Lauren Kipic. According to the forensic probe most died because of carbon monoxide inhalation. Juan Garcia Riquelme and Cristian Garcia Vargas were sentenced to seven years for involuntary manslaughter and condemned to pay 300.000 US dollars in compensation to the Torales family and the German couples relatives. "There are no similar cases with these characteristics on record in Punta Arenas, and therefore public opinion commotion", said Francisco Cardenas Mansilla attorney for the Argentine family. "I'm sure other lodges will take this ruling very seriously; they now are well aware of their responsibilities and what negligence means", he added. The fire broke out inside the lodge in early 7 February 2007 and surprised the twenty passengers fast asleep. The other guests were Chilean, Dutch, Israeli, British and Argentine. The investigation showed the fire was caused by the electric system because of "a clandestine connection to the mains". The defense attorneys argued the fire started from a candle the Israelis had lit. However witnesses and forensic reports discarded the argument and it was attributed to negligence and the illegal wiring. The Punta Arenas court also considered the fact that Blue House II landlords did not comply with minimum security measures for the lives of guests which was their responsibility.