A group of firefighters stand next to destroyed homes as a forest fire rages towards urban areas in the city of Valparaiso, Chile, April 13, 2014.
Huge Fire Burns in Chile's Historic Port City
Chilean officials say a huge fire has killed at least 16 people and destroyed 500 homes in the port city of Valparaiso.
More than 10,000 people have been evacuated, including more than 200 female inmates at a prison.
The fire began Saturday in a forested area above ramshackle housing on one of the city's many hilltops.
A firefighter shines a flashlight as he stands with others near burning homes as a forest fire rages towards urban areas in the city of Valparaiso, Chile, Sunday April 13, 2014.
Firefighters are struggling to bring the blaze under control, as Pacific coast winds fan the flames.
Chile's president, Michele Bachelet, has declared a state of emergency, placing armed forces on the city's streets to maintain order and prevent looting. Authorities have set up shelters.
Valparaiso Mayor Jorge Castro described the blaze as the worst fire in the city's history.
Valparaiso is a UNESCO world heritage site, 120 kilometers northwest of Chile's capital, Santiago.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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