Lost in the ashes

Lost in the ashes

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Devastated Chileans have been surveying the damage to their homes after a massive fire ravaged parts of Valparaiso, killing around a dozen people and consuming over 2,000 acres of land.

Many of the victims were poor residents in houses perched high on the coastal city's remote hills. They now have to piece their lives back together in the wake of the disaster.

. VALPARAISO, Chile. REUTERS/Eliseo Fernandez

Fed by high temperatures and strong winds, flames moved from forest areas at the top of the city and destroyed large swaths of predominantly low-income, wooden housing.

. VALPARAISO, Chile. REUTERS/Eliseo Fernandez

Many residents are now faced with the task of removing debris from the wreckage of their homes.

Nearly 1,200 portenos, as Valparaiso locals are called, have been sleeping in emergency shelters needing water, food, cleaning products, clothes, school supplies and hygiene products.

. VALPARAISO, Chile. REUTERS/Eliseo Fernandez

The fire was the country's second big catastrophe in just two weeks after a massive 8.2 magnitude quake slammed northern Chile on April 1.

Many are struggling in the wake of the blaze.

"People are shattered; their homes are in tatters," said volunteer Carolina Diaz.

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Slideshow

A melted clock lies in the rubble after the fire.
. VALPARAISO, Chile. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

A melted clock lies in the rubble after the fire.

A bicycle that was destroyed by the flames lies on the ground.
. VALPARAISO, Chile. REUTERS/Lucas Ninno

A bicycle that was destroyed by the flames lies on the ground.

An oil lamp is left in the rubble.
. VALPARAISO, Chile. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

An oil lamp is left in the rubble.

A damaged boot is seen among the wreckage.
. VALPARAISO, Chile. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

A damaged boot is seen among the wreckage.

A melted power drill lies on the ground.
. VALPARAISO, Chile. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

A melted power drill lies on the ground.

Rings lie inside a burnt jewellery box.
. VALPARAISO, Chile. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

Rings lie inside a burnt jewellery box.

A metal cup is seen in the rubble.
. VALPARAISO, Chile. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

A metal cup is seen in the rubble.

A broken ceramic figure is left in the wreckage.
. VALPARAISO, Chile. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

A broken ceramic figure is left in the wreckage.

A padlock lies in the rubble after the fire.
. VALPARAISO, Chile. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

A padlock lies in the rubble after the fire.