Fire in Valparaíso claims its first victim

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VAPARAÍSO.- Officials have identified 34-year old Patricia Valenzuela Salazar as the first fatal victim of the fire that took place on Monday on Valparaiso's La Cruz hill.

The woman's death, at 1:24 AM this morning, was attributed to the burns that covered 98% of her body.

Until today, Valenzuela Salazar and 25 year-old firefighter Gabriel Lara Espinoza were the two victims listed in most critical condition, although 52 other people had also been injured during the fire. Espinoza sustained burns covering 73% of his body.

The woman's remains were transferred to Valparaíso Legal Medical Service so that an autopsy can be performed.

The victim's sister, 43 year-old Luz Elvira, was also injured during the blaze -suffering moderate burns over 20% of her body. For now, doctors have reserved a diagnosis of her condition.