New fire breaks out in San Roque

Damage at Huerta Varela
(Photo: europasur.es)

50 hectares burned yesterday · Possibility of arson investigated · 500 people from 200 homes evacuated by 10pm · 20,000 had power cut off

SAN ROQUE (Agencies) Fire broke out once again in the municipality of San Roque, wreaking havoc in the area between Miraflores and Santa Margarita. Helped by a westerly breeze, very high temperatures and very dry brush, flames spread out to very close to the main San Roque town and inland to include El Albarracín and La Solana. Several fronts were being tackled at the same time, and in the end, some 200 homes, one hotel, the petrol station and the service area at Bernardo Macías had to be evacuated. Electricity supply was cut off to some 20,000 customers, but that was restored in about an hour. The last to have their power back were practically the entire population of Castellar.>>>The fire was classified as 1 on a scale of 3 by the 112 emergency services, did burn down the patios of at least four homes at Huerta Varela, but there were no reports of injuries nor major damage to any other homes. However, the flames did reach the back of the flats at Los Olivillos, which are in the town itself.

Fifteen evacuations took place at Santa Margarita, 80 at Huerta Varela, 12 at Fuente María España, 100 at Los Olivillos, as well as the Finca La Solana resort and the Bernardo Macías service centr, by the A-7 road. Local roads were also cut off to allow emergency vehicles to deploy easily, and to avoid drivers being trapped between various fire fronts.

The fire was under control by about 10 last night, but at obne point had eight focal points, several of them active at the same time. This has led the authorities to asume that the fires may have been set by arsonists. The possibility is being investigated by the firefighter experts this morning.