A hotel has caught fire at a popular ski resort, forcing around 150 guests to flee the building.
The blaze broke out at Hotel Alto Nevados in the mountainous commune of Pinto, in Chile’s Ñuble Region, on Sunday afternoon (6 September).
Firefighters from Chillán, Pinto, San Ignacio and surrounding areas rushed to the scene as flames tore through the building.
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The fire initially broke out on the top floor before spreading through the rest of the hotel.
The resort is located in the Las Termas area, next to the slopes of the Nevados de Chillán ski centre.
Dramatic footage shows thick smoke and flames engulfing parts of the building as emergency crews battle the blaze.
All guests were evacuated from the hotel, as reported by Need To Know.
Ñuble Regional Presidential Delegate Diego Sepúlveda said around 150 people had been staying at the resort.
He said: “The 150 guests who were staying there are all fine and in good condition. They have been taken to other hotels in the area.”
He added that the hotel’s “entire infrastructure” had been affected.
Hotel Alto Nevados later confirmed that all its guests had been evacuated safely.
The hotel said: “This afternoon, a fire is taking place at our facilities. In light of this situation, we would like to inform you that the safety and well-being of everyone has been our absolute priority.”
“Our staff remain in close coordination and are working together with the Las Trancas Fire Department, who are at the scene carrying out the necessary work to control and extinguish the fire.”
No injuries have been reported.
The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Carabineros said the N-55 road from kilometre 69 had been completely closed because of the emergency.
Authorities have urged people to remain calm and avoid spreading unconfirmed information while firefighters continue working at the scene.
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