‘Severe’ wildfire in Alicante sparks evacuation of residents amid crippling heatwave

A FOREST fire has destroyed around 320 hectares of land in Alicante province and caused the evacuation of residents.

The blaze was reported on Tuesday afternoon in Benasau in the north of the province with around 150 people told to leave their homes in Penaguila.

Overnight shelters were set up in Benifallim and Cocentaina.

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The fire started at around 3pm with some reports suggesting it may have came from a spark emitted from a radio transmitter mast.

Maintenance work was being carried out on it at its location at a treatment plant in the hamlet of Ares del Bosc in Benasau.

The fire then spread through very dry vegetation by the plant.

As of Wednesday lunchtime, it had not yet been stabilised but Valencian emergency services said that it was ‘evolving favourably’.

Land and air-based fire teams are working on a 15 kilometre area perimeter with concerns about high temperatures and wind direction changes.

The Guardia Civil reported that the CV-791 and CV-785 have had to be closed.

So far there have been no injuries and only one property has suffered any damage.

Authorities have appealed to people to avoid visiting the area.