Huge forest fires near city of Valparaiso have devastated area

Amazed locals rescued dogs...and have now offered to adopt them

She dug hole for pups to shelter in beneath a metal container

A devoted mum saved her nine puppies from a raging forest in Chile by digging a hole for them to hide in.

The dog, who has now been nicknamed Blacky, desperately dug a hole to allow her week-old puppies to take shelter in and stay safe beneath a metal container.

Shocking footage shows the intense blaze that ripped through the forest as firefighters struggle to contain the fire near the city of Valparaiso.

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Brave: The dog, now named Blacky, dug the hole and hid her puppies from the forest fire near the city of Valparaiso

Proud: The nine puppies were only a week old when their devoted mother saved their lives by digging the hole

Intense: At least one person was killed and thousands more evacuated as the fire spread, fanned by strong winds

As firefighters battled the flames, residents told them they had seen a dog leading the puppies away from the blaze and then bury them under a metal container to protect them from the flames.

The rescuers went in search of the animals and soon found all nine puppies alive and well.

Footage shows volunteers digging frantically and rescuing the tiny pups from underneath the metal container where they had been hidden.

The canines were rescued over the weekend reported local TV station Telemundo. One of the men involved in the rescue mission said: 'They were all alive and healthy.'

A number of big-hearted locals have now come forward offering to adopt the puppies as well as their mother.

The area around Valparaiso has been devastated in recent days by the intense forest fire.

Rescue: One of the men involved in the mission said: 'They were all alive and healthy'

Saved: Locals dug deep beneath the metal container to rescue the puppies, much to the delight of onlookers

Offers: A number of big-hearted locals have come forward offering to adopt the adorable puppies as well as their mother

At least one person was killed and thousands more evacuated as the fire spread and was fanned by strong winds.

Officials said they would bring charges against the owner of an illegal landfill site, where the fire is believed to have started.

More than 500 hectares were burned since the blaze started last Friday, and at least 19 firefighters have been injured, five of them seriously.

Forest fires are common in Chile at this time of year, and have been particularly savage this year after a hot, dry summer.