Almost 200 people were evacuated after a forest fire engulfed two villages in the Murcia region of southeastern Spain.
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A horror film-like footage shows the wind whipping infernal flames, with yellow-grey smoke covering the sky. It also shows tourists and locals screaming and fleeing from a wall of flames that reached the towns of Los Garres and Lages.
It is reported that hikers walking in the so-called Rooster’s Comb mountains reported the fire to the authorities on Wednesday, noticing fires devastating the park.
Media reports state that they were so scared that they called emergency services more than 200 times. Meanwhile, the flames spread very quickly throughout the Murcia region.
Over 300 firefighters, rescue services, and soldiers were deployed to extinguish the forest fires. Planes and helicopters buzzed overhead to douse as large an area as possible with water.
It is estimated that the flames have so far burned more than 270 hectares of land, and one person is being treated for burns.
Murcia’s rescue services stated that, in their assessment, the fire was deliberately set.
One local resident who left their home described the scene as a “fire pit”: “The whole sky is grey. From here you can see smoke and still flickering flames”.
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Meanwhile, another witness noted that many residential areas and homes were very close to the fire: “I’m talking about a 4-meter wide street and a 20-meter high flame front”.
Murcia’s mayor, Rebeca Perez, stated overnight that rescue services were fighting the fire “without rest”.
“To all residents of Los Garres and the affected areas, we want to extend our love and support after a particularly difficult day”.
Fires continue
“The fire in Los Garres is still active. This morning we reinforced firefighting efforts, gradually deploying air forces, while the regional government of Murcia, the military emergency unit, and rescue services continue their work on the ground.”
According to Murcia’s emergency services, as of this morning, the forest fire is “without active flames”, with “hot spots” that are “not dangerous”.
Last summer, terrible fires devastated parts of Spain. In one of the fires last August, the flames could not be extinguished for nine days.
Four people died in the fires, and six suffered severe burns.
