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Shocking images show a devastating fire that broke out this afternoon in a popular resort on the Costa del Sol.
Laguna Village has been engulfed in flames, with smoke visible from miles away, according to stunned witnesses.
The shopping and restaurant complex is completely ablaze, with terrified tourists rushing to safety as the fire rages.
It erupted around 1.45pm, and emergency services declared a Level One emergency, according to reports in Spain.
The fire is believed to have broken out in the forests surrounding the complex, which is located between San Pedro and Estepona, Malaga.
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The fire services are using helicopters in an effort to extinguish the fire from the air.
A spokesperson for a regional government emergency services coordinator confirmed: “Level one of the forest fire emergency plan has been activated due to a fire in Estepona.”
Authorities are concerned that the large fire is near a gas station, raising fears of an explosion, reports Olive Press.
It is not yet known if anyone was injured.
(Image: Twitter)
(Image: SOLARPIX.COM)
A Spanish tourist could be heard shouting: “My God, how horrible” as she cried with excitement as she saw the blue sky over the sand turning black as the flames approached the mall and others ran for safety.
A British local who filmed the fire that was taking place said: “That is the end of Purobeach for everyone.”
At one point, fire could be seen taking over a thatched-roof tiki bar as tourists and staff fled in panic near the pool.
(Image: Pedro / CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)
(Image: Twitter)
Employees shouted, ‘Out, out,’ which means ‘Out, out’ as others ran to find a hose and put out the flames.
Three helicopters and around 30 firefighters on the ground participated in the operation to deal with the fire.
The highway that ran between the sea on one side and the mountains on the other was closed in both directions.
Subsequent photos circulated on social media appeared to show that the entirety of Laguna Village, home to Purobeach Marbella and the Camuri and Claro beach clubs, as well as real estate offices and a VIP car wash service, had been destroyed.
(Image: SOLARPIX.COM)
Local reports said flames had reached the five-star Kempinski hotel next to Laguna Village.
The fire occurred just over a week after a trendy hotel on the Costa del Sol popular with British revelers, including celebrities and sports stars, caught fire.
A French tourist died and ten people suffered smoke inhalation in the fire in the early hours of August 21 at the Sisu Boutique Hotel near the exclusive Puerto Banús complex.
The investigation into that fire is still ongoing.
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