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12th Aug 2019

1,000 people evacuated following wildfires in Gran Canaria

Alan Loughnane

Gran Canaria

A man has been arrested in connection with the blaze.

Around 1,000 people living in the vicinity of wildfires in Gran Canaria have been evacuated.

The regional government of the Canary Islands said 200 firefighters and 10 water-dumping aircraft were working to combat the blaze, which started on Saturday.

Spain’s military emergency unit that specialises in fighting fires has also deployed to the area.

Firefighters said they were “overwhelmed” by the inferno, which is estimated to have ravaged over 900 hectares of land since 6pm on Saturday.

Strong winds and high temperatures of over 32C are making the battle to fight the fires more difficult.

The smoke from the fire was visible across the island and from neighbouring Tenerife.

A 55-year-old man was arrested on Sunday in connection with the blaze.

Police believe it was started by someone using a soldering iron.

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