Thousands forced to flee as after inferno ravages holiday island of Gran Canaria - Breaking News 24

A massive wildfire on the holiday island of Gran Canaria has forced 1,000 people to flee their homes as \"overwhelmed\" firefighters try to contain the inferno. Several towns were threatened by the out-of-control and vast blaze as it spread towards a national park and an area popular with holidaymakers on the Spanish island. The inferno had ripped through at least 1,000 hectares (2,470 acres) in the mountains after it was allegedly sparked by a welder on Saturday and flared up on Sunday. As more than 200 firefighters battled the flames, huge plumes of smoke could be seen from many parts of the volcanic island - a popular destination for Britons - and from about 70 miles away on the neighbouring island of Tenerife. The smoke was also visible on satellite images taken from space.A 55-year-old Spanish man has been arrested on suspicion of reckless behaviour for allegedly starting the fire while using a soldering iron on open land near his house. Witness Carla Rodriguez describe