Panicked Brit holidaymakers forced to flee hotels and sleep on gym floors as massive wildfires with 40 feet flames sweep through Costa Del Sol
Firefighters tackled huge blaze at tourist hotspot
BRIT holidaymakers fled their Spanish hotels and were forced to sleep on makeshift beds on the floor of a sports centre as wildfires ripped through the Costa Del Sol.
Firefighters are battled 40ft flames which caused devastation at the tourist hot spot after the wind suddenly changed direction.
The fire, which started near La Linea, had looked to be under control until the wind suddenly switched 180 degrees at 9pm last night forcing hotels to scramble guests to safety.
The Hotel Aldiana was forced to evacuate, with around 425 guests, most German or British tourists, ushered to a nearby sports centre where they spent the night.
Another 180 people were evacuated from the Cortijo La Acaidesa hostel.
Dozens of people were forced to ditch their homes as the blaze threatened the upmarket Alcaidesa region.
Expat Barbara Mckay told : “My son and his girlfriend have had to flee the flames which were getting very close to their house.”
Officials say the fire began at around 10am yesterday near to the Lomo del Rey apartment complex, reaching a ‘level one’ alert.
Black smoke was first seen billowing inland of Santa Margarita beach from as far away as Marbella at around midday.
Seventy-nine firefighters, as well as planes and helicopters, were deployed to tackle the fire.
A number of cars were also gutted by the blaze.
Temperatures in the region are expected to reach 40C today as a record heatwave continues.
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