With additional reporting from Natalia Penza
A massive fire has broken out in the Costa Del Sol, Spain. The blaze, close to Malaga Airport, is thought to have begun at around 3:20pm this afternoon. Appearing to be located close to the airport’s runway, videos of the fire show thick plumes of black smoke spiralling into the surrounding airspace. Concerned passengers have taken to social media to share footage.
Further reports have revealed that the fire was actually centred in a caravan park, causing “obvious alarm among travellers reaching and leaving the sunshine destination.”
Spanish airport authority chiefs were alerted about the blaze, although there were no initial reports of any planes being affected.
The blaze began at municipal caravan park called Sotoparking with the smoke coming from tyres that had caught light.
A video taken by one holidaymaker showed the plume of black smoke rising into the air near the airport perimeter.
One expat took to Twitter: “Lots of black smoke coming from Malaga airport direction. Hope everything is okay.”
No-one was immediately available for comment at Malaga Airport.
While the fire is fully blazing near the airport, little is known about what effect this may have on flights arriving to and departing from the popular airport.
While no official airline statements have been released according to the Malaga airport website only three flights are delayed or cancelled so far.
These include an Air Baltic flight set for Tallin, a Wasaya Airways flight heading to Madrid and a Vueling Airways to Orly, France.
The airport is a hub for costa del sol holidaymakers hoping to sun it up on holiday in the region.
Around 40 emergency service personnel have rushed to the scene at the Guadalhoce Poligono, including firefighters from Andalusian Emergency Group.
Passengers travelling through the airport have taken to social media to document the event and query the airport for further information.
One holidaymaker tweeted: “Thick black smoke coming from something in Malaga.
Airport direction but we can see planes landing so not affecting.
Told by hotel staff it’s a car on fire.”