Inferno tears through Spanish beach club popular with Britons after flames leap across motorway

Costa del HELL: Inferno tears through exclusive Spanish beach club popular with Britons after flames leap across motorway from blazing rural wildfire

  • A fire has engulfed the holiday destination of Laguna Village near Estepona
  • Plumes of smoke can be seen rising into the sky as far as Marbella, 20 miles away
  • Three helicopters and 30 firefighters have been involved to tackle the blaze

This is the dramatic moment fire and thick smoke engulf a popular Costa del Sol beach spot after flames jump across a dual-carriageway from countryside opposite.

The blaze, which started at 1.45pm today affected a beach club which is a favourite with Brit holidaymakers called Purobeach at upmarket commercial centre Laguna Village near Estepona.

Plumes of black smoke rising high into the air from the scene could be seen as far away as Marbella nearly 20 miles east along the coast.

Laguna Beach near Estepona, Spain, has been gutted by a fire which started at 1.45pm today

An aerial shot captures the extent of the blaze as smoke rises high into the air

An aerial shot captures the extent of the blaze as smoke rises high into the air

Flames burn through sun loungers on the beach near to the Purobeach club house which was gutted by the blaze

Flames burn through sun loungers on the beach near to the Purobeach club house which was gutted by the blaze 

A spokesman for a regional government-run emergency services coordinator confirmed: “Level One of the Emergency Forest Fire plan has been activated because of a fire in Estepona.”  

One Spanish tourist could be heard shouting: ‘My God, how awful’ as she started crying with emotion at the sight of the blue sky over the sand turning black as the flames neared the commercial centre and others ran for safety.

A British local who filmed the blaze taking hold said: ‘That’s the end of Purobeach everybody.’

At one point fire could be seen taking hold of a tiki bar with a thatched roof as holidaymakers and staff fled in panic near the swimming pool.

Smoke is blown away from the carcass of the Purobeach club house with wooden beams left exposed after the flames ripped through the building

Smoke is blown away from the carcass of the Purobeach club house with wooden beams left exposed after the flames ripped through the building

A dramatic photo shows flames burning away on top of the Purobeach club house

A dramatic photo shows flames burning away on top of the Purobeach club house

Plumes of black smoke rising high into the air from the scene could be seen as far away as Marbella nearly 20 miles east along the coast

Plumes of black smoke rising high into the air from the scene could be seen as far away as Marbella nearly 20 miles east along the coast

The blaze was so large that clouds of smoke could be seen rising into the air from miles away

The blaze was so large that clouds of smoke could be seen rising into the air from miles away

Employees shouted out: ‘Fuera, fuera’ – Spanish for ‘Get out, get out’ as others rushed to get a hose and douse the flames.

There were no immediate reports of any human casualties.

Three helicopters and around 30 firefighters on the ground were involved in the operation to tackle the blaze.

Regional governors activated emergency level number one just before 4pm today as the fire took hold.

The dual-carriageway running between the sea on one side and the mountains on the other was closed in both directions.

Subsequent photos circulating on social media appeared to show the whole of Laguna Village, home to Purobeach Marbella and beach clubs Camuri and Claro as well as real estate offices and a VIP car washing service, had been gutted.

Three helicopters and around 30 firefighters on the ground were involved in the operation to tackle the blaze

Three helicopters and around 30 firefighters on the ground were involved in the operation to tackle the blaze

Regional governors activated emergency level number one just before 4pm today as the fire took hold

Regional governors activated emergency level number one just before 4pm today as the fire took hold

Local reports said the flames had reached the five-star Kempinski Hotel next to Laguna Village.

No-one could immediately be reached by phone at the luxury Kempinski Hotel this afternoon. 

The blaze occurred just over a week after a trendy Costa del Sol hotel popular with British revellers including celebs and sports stars went up in flames.

A French holidaymaker died and ten people suffered smoke inhalation in the fire early on August 21st the Sisu Boutique Hotel near the upmarket resort of Puerto Banus.

Around 100 guests were staying at the Brit-popular hotel, a favourite of Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan and husband Mark Wright.

An investigation into that fire is still ongoing.

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