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Deadly Chile Fires Sweep through Port City

CBN

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Raging fires continue to sweep through the Chilean city Valparaiso Monday. At least 12 people are dead and around 2,000 homes have been destroyed.

More than 10,000 people evacuated from the port city, where firefighters have had trouble putting out the fires because of hot, dry winds.

Valparaiso sits on 42 hilltops - six of them have been reduced to ashes.

Maria Elizabeth Diaz, who is eight months pregnant, said she was hesitant to leave her hilltop home.

"I didn't want to move because I was afraid they'd rob me, but I had to flee when I saw the fire was coming down the hill," she said.

"I lost everything," she said. "Now I've been ordered to rest because I was having contractions. My little one knows that he can't arrive quite yet."

Chile's president has declared the entire city a disaster zone and put the military in charge.

"It's a tremendous tragedy. This could be the worst fire in the city's history," President Michelle Bachelet said.
    
Meanwhile, authorities say the death toll is expected to rise.

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