Unstoppable Forest Fires Destroy Homes in Chile
- 14 years ago
A raging forest fire in western Chile turned more dangerous on Saturday when it torched at least 20 homes in its path.
Dozens have been forced to evacuate.
Firefighters have been battling the blazes in Valparaiso with little success for several weeks.
So far, the fires have destroyed thousands of hectares, but didn't start affecting houses until Saturday.
[Sandra Munoz, Home Owner and Evacuee]:
"I don't know. It happened in a second. We had to leave running. We managed to take some things, but not much."
[Nelson Salgado, Home Owner and Evacuee]:
"Above, it is an inferno. One part is completely burned. From nothing, a lick of flame started and in seconds, destroyed everything."
Both lost their homes in the fire.
Jose Villarroel also lost his home, and his dog.
[Jose Villarroel, Home Owner and Evacuee]:
"I wanted to try to save my dog - a German Shepherd. He was in flames. I almost burned up trying to get him out, but I couldn't do anything.”
The investigation into the cause of the fires continues. Meanwhile, hundreds of firefighters from other regions have been called in to help stop the advancing blaze.
Dozens have been forced to evacuate.
Firefighters have been battling the blazes in Valparaiso with little success for several weeks.
So far, the fires have destroyed thousands of hectares, but didn't start affecting houses until Saturday.
[Sandra Munoz, Home Owner and Evacuee]:
"I don't know. It happened in a second. We had to leave running. We managed to take some things, but not much."
[Nelson Salgado, Home Owner and Evacuee]:
"Above, it is an inferno. One part is completely burned. From nothing, a lick of flame started and in seconds, destroyed everything."
Both lost their homes in the fire.
Jose Villarroel also lost his home, and his dog.
[Jose Villarroel, Home Owner and Evacuee]:
"I wanted to try to save my dog - a German Shepherd. He was in flames. I almost burned up trying to get him out, but I couldn't do anything.”
The investigation into the cause of the fires continues. Meanwhile, hundreds of firefighters from other regions have been called in to help stop the advancing blaze.