Firefighter dies battling Spain wildfire as more than 900 forced to evacuate
- The blaze has burned through around 2,000 hectares of the densely forested area known as the Sierra Bermeja
- More than 300 firefighters are working to extinguish the fire, which has yet to be brought under control
A wildfire has forced the evacuation of more than 900 people from around the southern Spanish resort of Estepona, local authorities said on Thursday.
A 44-year-old firefighter died while working on the wildfire, regional environment chief Carmen Crespo told journalists.
The blaze started on Wednesday around 9.30pm and has since burned through around 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres) of the densely forested area known as the Sierra Bermeja, according to the emergency services.
A total of 939 people have been evacuated from four communities in Estepona, which is popular with British retirees and holidaymakers, and one in neighbouring Benahavis, authorities said.
Local resident Cristina Zamora, 38, hurried through the streets with a large grey cat draped from her arm while a photographer helped her with another cat in a box.
“I was at work so I came running back for the animals … I had to leave my parakeets behind,” she said.