Brit holiday hotspot evacuated as deadly 45C heatwave sparks horror wildfire

15 July 2023 , 16:04

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Horrifying footage shows a wildfire ripping through a holiday hotspot in Spain as urgent evacuation warnings are issued.

The blaze broke out in the Spanish island of La Palma - sparking a mass evacuation as flames tore through forestry close to residential houses.

Emergency services were alerted shortly after 1am to the fire in a wooded area in the north of the popular island in the Canaries.

It comes as Spain and much of Europe continues to experiences 'hellish' temperatures amid a deadly heatwave which has already claimed a number of lives.

It's believed 11 houses have already been destroyed by the flames so far, Fernando Clavijo, president of the Canary Islands said.

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Clavijo told reporters: "The number of people who need to be evacuated could reach 1,000. It depends on whether we can bring these strong winds under control."

The fire broke out shortly after 1am in a wooded area in the north of the popular island in the Canaries (MIGUEL CALERO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Some 346 acres of land have been destroyed with helicopters circling and four firefighting units are on the ground racing to bring the fire under control on the island.

Nearby islands such as Gomera and Tenerife are also being asked for help. The Government has also issued a Level 2 emergency alert as firefighters battle the raging inferno. It comes as parts of Spain face deadly high temperatures amid a life-threatening heatwave.

Weather maps show large swathes of red - temperatures regarded as dangerous - across most of Southern Europe over the next few days.

The Government has also issued a Level 2 emergency alert as firefighters battle the raging inferno (MIGUEL CALERO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Temperatures may this week peak at a fierce 45C in parts of Spain, Greece and Italy, and in the latter at least three people have already died due to the heat. The heatwave - dubbed "Cerberus" - will see temperatures 10-15C higher than average for the time of year across much of the continent.

And in Prague, Czech Republic, where temperatures barely exceed 24C in June, the mercury is expected to hit a sweltering 34C by the weekend. North Africa is also set to suffer from extreme heat, where temperatures are forecast to reach 50C.

Met Office has already lamented climate change in a stinging analysis of how hot it became in the UK alone last month. Now, responding to the forecast for most of Europe, Met Office has warned of "health impacts and the potential for wildfires".

Temperatures may this week peak at a fierce 45C in parts of Spain (MIGUEL CALERO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Grahame Madge, spokesman for the service, said: "The heatwave conditions which are affecting parts of southwest Europe and northwest Africa are expected to extend eastward eventually reaching the Middle East later in the week.

"Communities in the affected regions should expect health impacts and the potential for wildfires."

It was 38C in Madrid, Spain, yesterday. Forecasters believe temperatures will linger around - or even reach - 40C most days in and around the city for the next week.