Fire in Valparaiso, Chile

Forest fires in the city of Valparaiso, Chile, have killed 12 people and forced 10,000 to evacuate in what Valparaiso's Mayor described as the worst fire the city has ever experienced.

The fire began on Saturday, and has destroyed an estimated 500 homes in the city. Affected residents are also said to be suffering from smoke inhalation and some small explosions have been reported as the fire spread, causing further injuries.

Valparaiso is a port city on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, and part of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. But it is believed that the fire will not spread to this area of the city at this time. The worst affected parts of the city are reportedly the La Cruz and Las Canas areas.

Over a thousand firefighters are working to put out the fires but there are concerns that coastal winds will push the fire deeper into the city. Strong winds and continuing high temperatures have been forecast, making the work difficult for the firefighters.