This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen
on .
It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
Christmas Eve Wildfire in Chile Destroys Dozens of Homes
Christmas Eve Wildfire in Chile Destroys Dozens of Homes
(about 2 hours later)
A wildfire raged through a residential area on the outskirts of the Chilean city of Valparaíso on Tuesday, engulfing houses and prompting evacuation orders.
A Christmas Eve wildfire raged through a residential area on the outskirts of the Chilean city of Valparaíso, engulfing houses and prompting evacuation orders.
As of late Tuesday night, the blaze had destroyed more than 120 houses and was only partly under control, the local fire department said.
As of late Tuesday night, the blaze had destroyed more than 120 houses and was only partially under control, the local fire department said.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but its rapid spread was worsened by warm, dry weather and steady winds. Wildfires, which are exacerbated by climate change, have caused widespread destruction in Australia, Brazil, the United States and other countries this year.
The mayor of Valparaíso, Jorge Sharp, told local news outlets early Wednesday that there were indications that the fire had been set intentionally.
Valparaíso is a port city in central Chile filled with vividly painted homes that line winding, hillside streets.
Valparaíso is a port city in central Chile filled with vividly painted homes that line winding, hillside streets.
At least 120 homes had been affected by the fire by early Wednesday, according to a statement on Twitter from Valparaíso’s fire department. Photos taken in Valparaíso on Tuesday showed homes engulfed in flames.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but its rapid spread was worsened by warm, dry weather and steady winds. Wildfires, which are made worse by climate change, have caused widespread destruction in Australia, Brazil, the United States and other countries this year.
In a post on Twitter early on Wednesday, Mr. Sharp, the mayor, said that city officials had declared an emergency in the local area to “facilitate debris removal and reconstruction.”
A burning house in Valparaíso, below.
“In addition, we will file a complaint against those who are responsible for the obvious intentionality of this fire,” the mayor wrote.
A helicopter crew worked to contain a fire.
Two shelters were set up for those displaced by the fire, according to a statement from city officials.
Volunteers helped a firefighter.
Chile’s president, Sebastián Piñera, said in a statement posted on his Twitter account that emergency responders were working “tirelessly” to combat the blaze.
Firefighters at work.
“We deeply regret the fire that affects so many families in the hills of Valparaíso and especially on Christmas Eve,” he said.
A woman and her son embraced near the debris of their home.
