First major fire of the year hits Istan

THE first major fire of the summer ripped through Istan, near Marbella, this week.

Four helicopters and a plane worked through the night to dampen flames, while residents were evacuated from their houses with three ambulances standing by.

The emergency services received dozens of calls from the inland town but luckily there were no fatalities.

Istan resident Giles Brown, an Olive Press columnist, said: “It was terrifyingly close and I’m counting my blessings.

“If the wind had been blowing in the other direction my house would definitely have been destroyed.”