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A wildfire has damaged dozens of homes outside a port city in Chile.
The federal government has declared an alert over the fires as at least 100 hectares (250 acres) were burned by the afternoon on Tuesday near Valparaiso.Image:An alert was declared by the governmentImage:Firefighters were helped by water dropped from helicoptersFirefighters from Valparaiso and Vina del Mar battled the tongues of flames with help from helicopters dropping water.Agriculture minister Antonio Walker said at least 120 homes were affected.Image:More than 100 homes were damagedImage:Fires covered 250 acresImage:People look at the debris of their homeFootage from the scene showed people walking through smoke carrying bags and pets to escape.The fires were fanned by strong winds, but authorities have suggested they may have been started by an arson attack.Image:A firefighter covers his mouth as he tries to clear the debrisImage:People gather their tree as they return to their homeEzio Passadore, emergency manager for Valparaiso, said: "We're not certain, but everything indicates that yesterday's fire was intentional, and began in an area quite close to the homes."Many homes in the area do not have running water and get their supply from tankers which come a couple of times a week.Chile is also contending with its worst drought on record.
