Fire in Valdivia began in cabaret

To see international photos, click here

VALDIVIA. -  The fire that destroyed Valdivia´s historical hardware store “Ferretería Valdivia” early this morning likely originated in the gentlemen’s club “La Hoguera”.

At approximately 5:00 AM this morning, employees working at the club were preparing to lock the doors of the establishment when they noticed flames coming from the attic, followed by explosions.

In a matter of minutes, the fire was heading towards the hardware store, where numerous flammable materials fueled the blaze – creating flames up to 10 meters high.

Other buildings located on Pérez Rosal Street, including a storage center belonging to the department store “La Polar” and a communications center owned by the company “Telefónica del Sur”, were also affected by the disaster.

Public Attorneys Rafael Mera and Juan Pablo Lebedina visited the scene, along with Mayor Bernardo Berger.

The cloud of toxic smoke caused classes to be canceled at seven educational institutions, including the Isla Teja campus of the Austral University, the German Institute and Gracia y Paz and Alonso de Ercilla High Schools.

Additionally, almost all of the buildings surrounding the location of the fire were evacuated.  All of the city’s fire departments are currently working to control the blaze.