Marbella wildfire under control after overnight evacuation battle
A wildfire near Marbella is being brought under control after forcing evacuations; three people were taken to hospital and the village is now safe.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A wildfire burning in the hills about half an hour's drive from Marbella on the Costa del Sol is now under control, according to a British woman staying in the area, after a night of intense firefighting by emergency services.
Faye Hiscock, speaking from her property near the village, said the fire started around three o'clock yesterday afternoon. She described seeing red clouds in the sky and, because it was incredibly windy, it soon became apparent that the hills were all on fire. The response was immediate and large, with about eleven helicopters and planes dropping water on the flames continuously.
Hiscock said the emergency services had been 'stunning' and had worked through the night to keep the fire away from the village. The village itself remained safe, although three people were taken to hospital. She mentioned that one injured person was part of the fire service, an elderly gentleman suffered burns, and someone was treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire came very close to the village, but the road into the village, which was closed briefly last night, was reopened around nine o'clock. Internet services went down, and residents were told to stay inside because of smoke in the air. Hiscock praised the training and preparation of Spanish emergency services, saying they 'know exactly what they're doing' and that their response had been very reassuring.
No further details on the extent of the injuries or the cause of the fire have been confirmed. The fire is one of several across southern Europe during a hot summer that has also seen wildfires in the UK.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 |
|---|---|
| The road into the village was reopened around 9 o'clock after being closed overnight. | |
| The wildfire started around 3pm the previous day. | |
| Three people were taken to hospital, including a fire service member and an elderly man with burns. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The coverage focused on the personal experience of a British woman at the scene, highlighting the scale of the emergency response and the reassurance provided by Spanish authorities. The tone was calm and reassuring, emphasising that the village had been protected and the fire was under control.
- “I think they have got it under control, but it has come very, very close to the village.”
- “The actual village itself has remained safe. They've done a fantastic job keeping the fire away from the village, just constantly on the case.”
- “It's been a fantastic response. It's been very reassuring.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.