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Recordings show the extent of the fire in the poor Laguna Verde district in the city of Iquique
Photo: Ignacio Munoz / AP
At least 100 houses were destroyed in a major fire in northern Chile.
Recordings of the incident on Monday afternoon (local time) showed flames visible from afar and a huge column of smoke over the low-income district of Laguna Verdel in the city of Iquique.
The port city is about 1800 kilometers north of the capital Santiago.
More than 400 people have become homeless, the South American country's disaster control announced on Monday.
Family Minister Karla Rubilar wanted to travel to the region on Tuesday to get an idea of the situation.
In the settlement on the outskirts of Iquique, many houses were apparently illegally built.
In addition, there were hardly any hydrants available to the fire brigade in the area.
According to initial information, there were apparently no fatalities.
After a few hours, the fire brigade brought the fire under control, according to Mayor Mauricio Soria.
According to a media report, the wind conditions also prevented the fire from spreading.
Instead, the flames moved to an undeveloped slope.
People who had lost their home in the fire were initially placed in a school.
fek / dpa
