Fire at Universidad Austral forces evacuation of the northern part of Teja Island

To see international photos, click here

VALDIVIA.- The gigantic fire, which began at a little after 07:00 AM this morning in the Science Department building of Universidad Austral in Valdivia, forced the evacuation of the northern part of Teja Island as well as the entire university campus.

The evacuation happened after the Health Department warned of a possible chemical emergency, caused by various reactive chemicals that are stored at the location.

Due to causes that are still under investigation, the flames began at 07:05 AM on the fourth floor of the building located in the center of the campus on Teja Island, which is where the majority of the university's degree departments, such as Microbiology, Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Science, are located.

All Valdivia fire departments reported to the area, taking special precautions to use water sparingly, after they were warned that some of the chemical compounds in the building could react adversely if brought into contact with water.