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VALPARAISO, Chile (AP) — At least 16 people have been killed in a fire raging in the colorful port city of Valparaiso, where 500 homes have been destroyed.
More than 10,000 people have been evacuated, including more than 200 female inmates at a prison.
The fire began yesterday afternoon in a forested area above some ramshackle housing on one of the city's many hilltops. It spread quickly as high winds rained hot ash over wooden houses and narrow streets.
As the fire spread, electricity failed. Flames turned the night sky orange over the darkened remains of entire neighborhoods.
President Michelle Bachelet warns that the toll of death and damage will rise. She says it may be the worst fire in the city's history.
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128-c-18-(Mike Warren, AP correspondent)-"of the city"-AP correspondent Mike Warren reports a huge fire is devastating parts of the port city of Valparaiso (val-pah-rah-EE'-soh) in Chile. (13 Apr 2014)
<<CUT *128 (04/13/14)££ 00:18 "of the city"
131-c-12-(Mike Warren, AP correspondent)-"place for now"-AP correspondent Mike Warren reports inmates from a prison are among the thousands that have been evacuated. (13 Apr 2014)
<<CUT *131 (04/13/14)££ 00:12 "place for now"
APPHOTO XMEX120: Birds lie dead inside a birdcage after a large forest fire reached urban areas in Valparaiso, Chile, Sunday April 13, 2014. Authorities say the fires have destroyed hundreds of homes, forced the evacuation of thousands and claimed the lives of at least seven people. ( AP Photo/ Luis Hidalgo) (13 Apr 2014)
<<APPHOTO XMEX120 (04/13/14)££
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