A raging fire ripped through a poor neighborhood in Chile destroying 80 houses and prompting mass evacuations on Christmas Eve.

The fires had been started 'intentionally' in a forested area in Valparaíso.

The blaze then spread to the city forcing people to flee - some without all their belongings and even pets.

A raging fire ripped through a poor neighborhood in Chile destroying 80 houses and prompting mass evacuations on Christmas Eve

The fires had been started 'intentionally' in a forested area in Valparaíso. Pictured: People gather personal belongings, including a Christmas tree, during an evacuation

Firefighters wrote on Twitter: 'The entire Valparaíso Fire Department with support from neighboring units is deployed. The fire has consumed about 50 homes.'

This number has now increased to at least 80.

'Two nearby neighborhoods were being evacuated,' they added.

The blaze then spread to the city forcing people to flee - some without all their belongings and even pets

Firefighters wrote on Twitter: 'The entire Valparaíso Fire Department with support from neighboring units is deployed. The fire has consumed about 50 homes.' This number has now increased to at least 80

Mayor of Valparaíso Jorge Sharp told local news outlets the fire was 'intentionally' started, the BBC reports

The blaze was fed by high Southern Hemisphere summer temperatures and strong winds.

Mayor of Valparaíso Jorge Sharp told local news outlets the fire was 'intentionally' started, the BBC reports.

Valparaiso, known for its colorful wood-frame houses, is popular among tourists in the South American country.

Valparaiso, known for its colorful wood-frame houses, is popular among tourists in the South American country. Pictured: A woman and her son react next to the debris of their house

The blaze was fed by high Southern Hemisphere summer temperatures and strong winds. A house burns following the spread of wildfires in Valparaiso, Chile, on Christmas Eve

People react next to the debris of their house following the spread of wildfires