IN PICS: Forest fire escalates on Spain’s Costa Blanca as 45 people are evacuated

A FOREST fire raging on Spain’s Costa Blanca has seen 45 people evacuated from their homes.

The fire was reported at 14:30 today in Beneixama, between Villena and Bañeres, in the Alt Vinalopó comarca of Alicante.

A current 15 air units – including helicopters and aeroplanes – are understood to be battling the blaze, alongside 56 ground units, according to the 112 emergency services of the Valencian Generalitat.

Meanwhile more airborne units have been solicited from as far as Zaragoza, Guadalajara and Cuenca.

A level 2 emergency was declared at 5.00pm today by the Valencian Generalitat’s Communication Centre for Emergencies.

READ MORE: THIRTEEN air units battle forest fire in Beneixama on Spain’s Costa Blanca as ‘Level 2 emergency’ is declared

A message from Banyeres Town Hall has been issued asking property owners located between the Beneixama Power Plant and the Venta el Borrego to evacuate their homes until further notice.

Meanwhile, the manager of air navigation in Spain, Enaire, reported that planes are being diverted as the column of smoke has reached up to 15,000 feet.

More to follow..