A large forest fire raging in the Chilean port city of Valparaiso has killed at least eight people and destroyed 500 homes, officials said.
Thousands of people have been moved from the area, including over 200 female inmates at a prison.
Pushed by strong Pacific coast winds, the fire killed three men and one woman as it rampaged over 300 hectares (741 acres) of hilly residential neighbourhoods including La Cruz and Las Canas, local authorities said.
The country’s Congress, which resides in Valparaiso, and the city’s historic quarter, with its late 19th century architecture, were spared by the blaze.
President Michelle Bachelet declared a state of emergency and sent the army in to maintain order while ambulance crews treated people for smoke inhalation and other injuries. “The fire is still not completely extinguished,” said local government official Ricardo Bravo.
Firefighters were having difficulty combating the blaze because of the topography of the city, which is surrounded by dozens of steep hills where most people live.
Volunteer firefighters found the charred remains of two elderly people on a street in the port area, Chilean navy Admiral Julio Leiva said.
Thick clouds of smoke surrounded the city’s prison and nine pregnant inmates were transferred to a detention facility in the nearby city of Quillota. Prison authorities were moving another 204 female inmates to a sports arena. The remaining 2,700 male inmates will stay at the prison for the time being, prison guard commander Tulio Arce said.
Valparaiso Mayor Jorge Castro said “at least 500 homes have been destroyed by the fire”. He said shelters for those forced to flee have been set up. The city was experiencing cuts to the electricity supply, he said.
While firefighters, police and forest rangers battled the blaze, Chilean marines in combat gear patrolled streets in the city to maintain order and prevent looting.
The fire started yesterday in hills on the edge of the city and spread rapidly because of strong winds. Hot ash rained down on the city early today, causing respiratory problems among the population, especially children and the elderly.
Valparaiso is about 120km north west of the capital, Santiago.