Severe Fires in Chilean Port City of Valparaíso – at Least 120 Houses Damaged
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – At least 120 houses have been destroyed or damaged by violent forest fires in the Chilean port city of Valparaíso.
Several quarters of the city in the west of the South American country were evacuated, the fire department announced on Tuesday. Photographs show residents with belongings rescued from their homes.
#Incendio #24Dic #Valparaiso #Rocuant pic.twitter.com/cGIEGKhhDc
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Jorge Sharp, mayor of Valparaíso, told Canal 24 Horas station that the fires were set deliberately.
All firefighters in the city have been called to help: “At present, rescue teams from all over Valparaíso are operating in two areas in the higher areas of the city. They are taking advantage of all the possibilities on land and in the air. Photos show helicopters in action.
Sharp added that strong winds and high temperatures made the situation worse. So far there are no details of possible casualties.
According to civil defense, an area of 100 hectares was affected by the fires – the equivalent of about 140 football pitches. As a precautionary measure, 90,000 people in the affected area had their power switched off.
Valparaíso on the Pacific coast is built on numerous hills. The old town with its historic houses, steep alleys and staircases is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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