Nochebuena ended in tragedy for many residents in the Chilean port city of Valparaiso after a forest fire swept through the residential area, destroying more than 200 homes.
The blaze, which lasted into Christmas Day, was contained through the collaborative work of hundreds of firefighters and military units. Al Jazeera reports that dozens of firefighters were injured.
According to CNN, Jorge Martinez Duran, the government regional leader of Valparaiso, a city west of the capital Santiago, said in a news conference on Wednesday that it is believed the fires were started on purpose.
Chilean Interior Minister Gonzalo Blumel said in a tweet that authorities were investigating the fire and “there will be no impunity” for anyone who is found responsible.
“Progress has been made in containing the fire, but unfortunately more than 200 homes are already destroyed,” he said.
Chilean President Sebastián Piñera, who has been under fire for months after mass protests around economic inequality broke out in October, also spoke out about the blaze on social media.
“We deeply regret the fire that affects so many families in the hills of Valparaiso and especially on Christmas Eve,” he tweeted.
He said a group is working to help the families that were impacted, including assisting them with reconstruction. Families in the residential area have been evacuated.