Volunteers have been joining army troops and firefighters in helping stricken residents of Valparaiso in Chile as the wildfire that ravaged parts of the coastal city began to die down.<br /><br />The fire is known to have killed 15 people, destroyed 2,500 homes and left 11,000 homeless.<br /><br />Poor neighbourhoods have suffered the most, where wooden houses perched on wind-battered hillsides were at the mercy of the advancing flames.<br /><br />Fredy Trivino’s family threw down beer and soda to try to keep the wood damp.<br /><br />“When the firefighters arrived they didn’t have any water… They couldn’t do anything. The soda and the beer is what saved us,” the young man said.<br /><br />As well as the wind and the heat, critics blame a lack of urban planning and official neglect of Valparaiso’s poor districts – allowing homes to spread chaotically with few or no amenities. <br /><br />“We are making all possible resources available to confront this tragedy – firstly by relocating and supporting affected families – and in a second phase, with reconstruction,” said the Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who has declared a disaster zone.<br /><br />More than 1,000 Valparaiso residents are in emergency shelters, in need of food, water and other essential items. Chileans have rallied with donations; fundraising football matches have been held.<br /><br />An emergency shelter for injured animals has also been set up.<br /><br />The fire has eased since the weekend but the authorities fear that pockets could flare up again.<br /><br />Better weather is forecast for Tuesday, bringing cooler, less windy and more humid conditions that could help firefighters.
