Moment wildfire erupts in Costa hols hotspot forcing Brits celebrating NYE to be evacuated after ‘firework sparks blaze’

THE NEW year was off to a terrifying start for some, with hundreds of people including Brits evacuated from a popular holiday spot after huge wildfires erupted.

Firefighters raced to tackle the roaring forest blaze which started in Spain‘s Costa del Sol about 12.30am amid fireworks and celebrations.

Some 300 people were asked to leave their properties as firefighters tackled flames on Spain’s Costa del SolSolarpix

One British tourist can be heard in a video of the fire saying, ‘It’s like watching a film’Solarpix

Solarpix

The flames are said to have advanced at about 100ft per minute[/caption]

Expat Brits and tourists are reported to have been among the 300-odd people who were asked to leave their properties, of whom several were treated for smoke inhalation.

A video of British partygoers watching the blaze helplessly from their apartment balcony is now circulating on social media.

One woman can be heard over the sounds of wailing sirens saying, “It’s like watching a film.”

Forest fire specialists said the flames in Mijas, between Marbella and Fuengirola, were advancing at 100ft per minute.

The event was declared a “level one” emergency – the most severe.

According to local media, the fire spread through an area of housing developments and forced the evacuation of about 20 homes.

Firefighters’ efforts are said to have been hindered by strong winds of up to 50mph.

The blaze was finally considered under control at 9am this morning, with residents reportedly able to return to their homes some time earlier, about 3am.

Spanish online newspaper El Espanol reported it was not yet known what sparked the fire, but factors such as the temperature and the fact it was New Year’s Eve pointed to either arson or negligence.

Many on social media speculated it could have been caused by a firecracker or a rocket. An investigation is underway.

Firefighting service Plan Infoca officials shared on X, formerly Twitter, that two groups of forest firefighters and two heavy-duty firefighting vehicles were deployed to the scene overnight.

It stated that the fire was controlled at 9am today and wrote at 12.50pm local time: “At this time, the colleagues carry out surveillance, location, auction, and liquidation in the areas that still have hot spots.

“They will remain assigned with that work today.”

Solarpix

Firefighters said their efforts to extinguish the fire were hampered by strong winds[/caption]

The event was declared a ‘level one’ emergencySolarpix

Firefighters managed to control the blaze about 9am this morningSolarpix