The AP-7 motorway has been closed on the outskirts of Benidorm following a large forest fire that is burning vegetation on the edge of the busy highway between Benidorm itself and Terra Mitica.
The flames have spread from one side to another of the road across to the with 12 firefighters from the Provincial Consortium currently fighting the blaze, another four of the Forestales and seven air assets also working on its extinction
The road is currently closed in both directions, according to information offered by the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) shortly after 7 p.m. The CV-70 between Benidorm and La Nucia has also been closed. The fire, from which the first warning was given at 17.26, has expanded rapidly, forcing the mobilization of a large contingent of firefighters to try to stop it.
The flames originated on the right side of the road in the direction of Valencia, close to kilometer 649 of the AP-7, next to the exit of Benidorm-Levante turn, as can be seen in videos of the event that are circulating on social networks.
The Provincial Fire Consortium have reported that the fire has jumped across the highway. Before that, however, the motorway had been closed in both directions between the two exits of the AP-7 towards Benidorm, from kilometer 648 to 652.
In addition, the Benidorm Local Police have also reported closure of the CV-70 road between this town and La Nucia. The local police of La Nucia is also collaborating with the Benidorm authorities in the management of traffic in this area.
The incident has forced the declaration of situation 1 of the Special Plan against Forest Fires, according to the Provincial Fire Consortium. It is not known for the time being if there have been injuries.
The extinction tasks have mobilized a total of twelve fire tenders, eight from San Vicente del Raspeig, Benidorm and Dénia and four other itinerants. Four units of the Gemeralitat Forest Firefighters and seven air assets have also been displaced.
It is possible, as pointed out by the Consortium, that some isolated housing in the area may have been affected, although at the time of the preparation of this information there is nothing confirmed in this regard.
