Hundreds evacuated as Estepona fire continues to burn

A MAN has been arrested suspected of starting a fire that has led to the evacuation of nearly 200 homes in Estepona (Costa del Sol) when he decided to burn a bee hive.

As the sun rose this morning efforts were redoubled to bring the fire under control with 170 firefighters on the ground joined by four fire engines plus 10 helicopters and planes in the task.

The fire started at just before noon yesterday (August 19) in the Peñas Blancas area of the municipality and rapidly spread in the hot, dry conditions.

Sources say 144 people spent the night in the sports hall of El Carmen, Estepona, after being evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Emergency services ordered the evacuation of 42 homes in the areas of the River Padrón and Tejilla and about 150 properties in the Forest Hill and Alberdina-Las Abejeras urbanisations.

Initially it had been feared the Puente Romano urbanisation, Loma del Monte and the Selwo Safari theme park might have to be cleared too, but in the end it was decided that was not necessary.

In total 240 forest firefighters and 22 air assets worked ins shifts yesterday to contain the fire. Up Junta de Andalucia spokesmanent Elias Bendodo confirmed from the arrest of a local man as the main suspect. He had allegedly attempted to burn a beehive in a house in the affected area and had lost control of the flames.

Firefighting efforts are concentrated on protecting nearby urbanisations and stopping the flames reaching the pine forests of the Sierra Bermeja.

Imágenes recibidas desde el #IFEstepona. Los vientos del terral, las altas temperaturas y la presencia de fondos de barranco en la zona, dificultan las labores de extinción. Se ha realizado un ataque ampliado con varias oleadas de medios para facilitar la contención de su avance. pic.twitter.com/vpA6KkbcI5

— INFOCA (@Plan_INFOCA) August 19, 2019

ACTUALIZACIÓN de medios en el #IFEstepona: 10 aéreos, 1 autobomba, 55 bomberos forestales, 4 técnicos de operaciones, 2 agentes de medio ambiente y 1 Unidad Médica de Incendios Forestales.

📽Vídeo tomado desde el helicóptero Hotel 7. pic.twitter.com/yI2OUVM5Wc

— INFOCA (@Plan_INFOCA) August 19, 2019