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A major fire broke out at Chile’s Ventanas port near a refinery and smelter belonging to state-run miner Codelco, but the company said on Thursday operations have not been affected.

Meanwhile, a separate forest fire south of Ventanas near the coastal tourist city of Viña del Mar raged, killing at least two people while destroying some 200 homes, according to an interior ministry official. That fire has consumed 272 acres (110 hectares) so far, the official said, as firefighters struggled to contain it.

The government also declared a state of emergency in the Viña del Mar area on Thursday night.

Codelco’s smelter near the Ventanas port was already shut down due to maintenance, while the refinery is operating normally, according to Codelco, the world’s top copper producer.

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Chilean firefighters work to extinguish a forest fire in Vina del Mar, Chile.
As one fire was set ablaze at Chile’s Ventanas port, a separate forest fire near the tourist city of Vina del Mar sparked.ADRIANA THOMASA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
A forest fire affects the hills of Vina del Mar.
The government declared a state of emergency in the Viña del Mar area on Thursday night.AFP via Getty Images
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The forest fire has consumed 272 acres so far, the official said.
The forest fire consumed 272 acres so far, the official said. AFP via Getty Images
People look on as the forest fire affected the hills of Vina del Mar.
People look on as the forest fire affected the hills of Vina del Mar. AFP via Getty Images
Firefighters work as a forest fire affects the hills of Vina del Mar.
Firefighters work as a forest fire affects the hills of Vina del Mar. AFP via Getty Images
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No injuries were reported from the port fire, the company that administers the port said in a statement earlier on Thursday. It said the incident occurred in a solid bulk cargo conveyor belt and spread to other nearby facilities.

Local media published images showing large amounts of dark smoke billowing out from the port, located about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northwest of the capital Santiago.

AES Chile, which operates a coal-fired power plant near the port, said in a statement that it is taking all measures to prevent the fire from reaching its installations.


  Local media published images showing large amounts of dark smoke billowing out from the port. AFP via Getty Images Local media published images showing large amounts of dark smoke billowing out from the port. AFP via Getty Images

It added that unit 2 of its plant, which is closest to the blaze, has been taken offline due to company security protocols, while other units are operating normally.

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Residents inspect the remains of destroyed homes after a wildfire in Chile.
AES Chile said in a statement that it is taking all measures to prevent the fire from reaching its installations.REUTERS
Aerial view of houses destroyed by a forest fire.
No injuries were reported from the port fire, the port company administers said in a statement. AFP via Getty Images
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Firefighters work on the remains of destroyed homes after the fire in Vina del Mar.
Firefighters work on the remains of destroyed homes after the fire in Vina del Mar.REUTERS
View of houses destroyed by a forest fire.
A view of houses destroyed by a forest fire AFP via Getty Images
The remains of a burnt car was photographed after two fires broke out in Chile.
The remains of a burnt car was photographed after two fires broke out in Chile. REUTERS
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