Laurence Dollimore
HOMES have been evacutated and roads cut off after a forest fire broke out in the hills of the Costa del Sol earlier tonight.
Some six helicopters, two firetrucks and 36 firefighters were roped in to tackle the blaze which began at 7pm in the Sierra Crestellina in Casares.
The fire is still raging on as the aircraft had to be grounded once the sun set.
The MA-8300 was cut off from the Las Cadenitas and Celima areas.
At 10:30 pm, when the flames turned north, the road opened again.
A level 1 Emergency Plan for forest fires was declared at 8.50pm.
The fire has two fronts, in the Celina and La Arquita areas.
A strong westerly wind is threatening to bring the flames closer to homes but firefighters are working hard to prevent it from reaching towns.
At least one home has been destroyed.
Its owner became trapped and had to take refuge in the pool until he was rescued by firefighters.
Other properties have been evacuated but have not yet been touched by the flames.
More to follow…
