© Pau Verd
Fire in Mallorca Sweeps West Coast
Worst Fire in Mallorca for 20 Years Burns 2000 Hectares
On Friday a fire started in the outskirts of Andratx in Mallorca that has spread across the forests on the South Western tip of Mallorca destroying 2000 hectares of land and forcing the town of Estellencs to be evacuated.
The fire services have battled with the blaze all weekend and as many holiday makers basked in the sunshine during one of the hottest days of the year so far the high temperatures and winds caused the fire to spread at an alarming pace. By Sunday morning the blaze around Andratx and St Elm was said to be under control but not before the flames were within 100 metres of the Contemporary Arts Centre in Andratx. By then the town of Estellencs was evacuated and 700 people had to leave their homes.The fire continued to spread and the nature reserve of Galatzo was also evacuated with 95 people and many of the animals being moved to safety.
The fire has now consumed 2000 hectares 1700 more than all the wild fires and arson attacks last year combined. Two teams of 400 hundred have been working to tackle the blaze using sea water and even water from privately owned pools on the flames. The fire fighters were joined by 84 military personnel from the main land on Sunday evening.
It is thought that the fire was started by a man burning rubbish in his garden, an action which is forbidden at this time of year, and is now the worst fire on the island since 1994.
