Study and analysis of the problem of fires during the 21st century in large heritage buildings in valparaíso, Chile

Valparaíso was recognized as the most developed city in Chile during the 19th and early 20th centuries. As the main port, it attracted a large number of European and North American traders who settled there. The dynamic interaction between them and the port's inhabitants resulted in a cultural syncretism reflected primarily in its architecture. However, the entire city still bears witness to this heyday, reflected in its urban fabric and numerous properties with high historical, architectural, and heritage value. Nevertheless, these properties are constantly exposed to fire disasters, the subject of the present study. Although these catastrophes are not new, they continue to occur, exacerbating this issue in recent years. The city's decline is reflected in their subsequent condition, with a total of 30 affected properties counted for the present study, all of them currently in various states.