Chile Forest Fire - Destroyes 756 Hectares, Leaves 10,000 people Homeless And 16 Dead

Chile forest fires 2014 have destroyed some 756 hectares causing evacuations of 10,000 people, Valparaiso's Emergency Committee further added.

According to the Associated Press, some 1,200 firefighters are struggling to control the forest fires in Chile. A state of emergency has been declared in Valparaiso.

This deadly forest fire in the port city of Valparaiso, Chile, has claimed lives of at least 16 people and destroyed around 2,000 homes, Valparaiso's Emergency Committee said.

More than 10,000 people have been evacuated from the area, according to the Associated Press.

The fire ignited Saturday afternoon in a forested area above shacks on one of Valparaiso's hilltops, and grew rapidly after strong winds spread hot ash across the city, the AP reported.

Earlier Sunday, Military Police Gen. Julio Pineda said 16 people died, but later clarified that one family had been counted twice; the death toll was 11 as of Sunday night, the wire service said.