Raging fire tears through Chilean city destroying 80 homes and prompting mass evacuations in Christmas Eve arson attack
- The fires had been started ‘intentionally’ in a forested area in Valparaíso, Chile
- Fire then spread to city forcing people to flee – some without their belongings
- Blaze fed by high Southern Hemisphere summer temperatures and strong winds
A raging fire ripped through a poor neighborhood in Chile destroying 80 houses and prompting mass evacuations on Christmas Eve.
The fires had been started ‘intentionally’ in a forested area in Valparaíso.
The blaze then spread to the city forcing people to flee – some without all their belongings and even pets.
A raging fire ripped through a poor neighborhood in Chile destroying 80 houses and prompting mass evacuations on Christmas Eve
The fires had been started ‘intentionally’ in a forested area in Valparaíso. Pictured: People gather personal belongings, including a Christmas tree, during an evacuation
Firefighters wrote on Twitter: ‘The entire Valparaíso Fire Department with support from neighboring units is deployed. The fire has consumed about 50 homes.’
This number has now increased to at least 80.
‘Two nearby neighborhoods were being evacuated,’ they added.
The blaze then spread to the city forcing people to flee – some without all their belongings and even pets
Firefighters wrote on Twitter: ‘The entire Valparaíso Fire Department with support from neighboring units is deployed. The fire has consumed about 50 homes.’ This number has now increased to at least 80
Mayor of Valparaíso Jorge Sharp told local news outlets the fire was ‘intentionally’ started, the BBC reports
The blaze was fed by high Southern Hemisphere summer temperatures and strong winds.
Mayor of Valparaíso Jorge Sharp told local news outlets the fire was ‘intentionally’ started, the BBC reports.
Valparaiso, known for its colorful wood-frame houses, is popular among tourists in the South American country.
Valparaiso, known for its colorful wood-frame houses, is popular among tourists in the South American country. Pictured: A woman and her son react next to the debris of their house
The blaze was fed by high Southern Hemisphere summer temperatures and strong winds. A house burns following the spread of wildfires in Valparaiso, Chile, on Christmas Eve
People react next to the debris of their house following the spread of wildfires
A firefighter walked through smoke in Valparaiso as debris from burnt buildings is seen in the background