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The Washington Post

A forest fire consumed the outskirts of a coastal Chilean city on Tuesday, destroying dozens of homes.
Firefighters struggled to control the rapidly spreading blaze, prompting an evacuation order in Valparaiso, a port city northwest of Santiago.

Although the source of the Christmas Eve fire has not been determined, Valparaiso Mayor Jorge Sharp told local news outlets Wednesday that there was reason to believe it had been set intentionally.
As of Wednesday, the fire, which was worsened by strong winds, consumed more than 120 homes in the popular tourist town, known for its vividly coloured wooden houses. There were no reports of casualties.
Chilean military plane with 38 vanishes on Antarctica mission
“We have decided to decree a communal emergency which will facilitate debris removal and reconstruction,” Sharp said in a tweet early on Wednesday.
“In addition, we will file a complaint against those who are responsible for the obvious intentionality of this fire,” he added.
The effort to extinguish the fire continued through the morning. Helicopters doused the affected areas, and two schools were turned into shelters for residents who fled the fire.
Chile has recently been battling the most severe drought in decades. In September, the country declared water shortages in more than 50 communities across three regions.

President Sebastián Piñera said in a statement posted on Twitter that emergency responders were fighting “tirelessly” to control the blaze in Valparaiso, one of the country’s largest cities and a major Pacific port.
“We deeply regret the fire that affects so many families in the hills of Valparaíso and especially on Christmas Eve,” he said.


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Americas and the Caribbean

Massive fire destroys 120 homes in Chile on Christmas Eve

A house burns as a fire spreads in Valparaiso, Chile, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Aerial view of burnt houses after a forest fire at the Rocuant hill in Valparaiso, Chile, on December 25, 2019. - More than 150 houses were affected by a forest fire Tuesday in Valparaiso, where a red alert was declared. (Photo by Pablo Rojas Maradiaga / AFP)

People walk away from a burning house in Valparaiso, Chile, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Are Chile’s frontline protesters heroes or vandals?

A demonstrator wearing a helmet runs with a makeshift shield during a protest in Santiago. Photo: AFP

Demonstrator throws a rock at a riot police vehicle during a protest against Chile's government, in Santiago, Chile December 10, 2019. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares

Demonstrators use makeshift shields during a protest against the government in Santiago on November 14, 2019. - Armed with makeshift shields and sticks, angry "front line" youngsters are "heroes" for some and "vandals" for others. (Photo by Martin BERNETTI / AFP)

Australia’s PM sorry for taking Hawaii holiday as fires and public raged back home

NSW Rural Fire Service crews fight the ‘Gospers Mountain Fire’ in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. Photo: EPA

Kangaroos gather at a residential law as bushfires continue to spread, in Berrara Beach, Australia December 21, 2019 in this picture obtained from social media. Linda Robinson/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.

The potential areas where bushfires may spread in New South Wales on Saturday, December 21, 2019, are illustrated in a map obtained from the NSW Rural Fire Service. NSW Rural Fire Service/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.

(191221) -- SYDNEY, Dec. 21, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Combo photo shows the Blue Mountain area before (top, taken on May 15, 2019) and after the bushfire (bottom, taken on Dec. 21, 2019) in New South Wales, Australia. The New South Wales (NSW) government in Australia once again declared a state of emergency because of the devastating bushfire on Thursday. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)

Viral Chilean protest anthem ‘A Rapist in Your Path’ calls out global lack of action on violence against women

Thousands of women perform “A Rapist in Your Path”, the song of a feminist performance which emerged from Chile. Photo: AFP

“A Rapist in Your Path” is a protest anthem from Chile that calls out the lack of action on violence against women. The song, written by feminist group Lastesis, has become an international phenomenon. Photo: Getty Images

News

World

Americas


Valparaiso mayor says there is reason to believe blaze was set intentionally
Helicopters doused affected areas, and two schools were turned into shelters for fleeing residents



Valparaiso mayor says there is reason to believe blaze was set intentionally.


Crime

Massive fire destroys 120 homes in Chile on Christmas Eve

Valparaiso mayor says there is reason to believe blaze was set intentionally Helicopters doused affected areas, and two schools were turned into shelters for fleeing residents

Valparaiso mayor says there is reason to believe blaze was set intentionally

Helicopters doused affected areas, and two schools were turned into shelters for fleeing residents