• 

• News
• World news
• Malaga

A fire ripped through the Ibis Hotel in Malaga, Spain, in the early hours of Monday, damaging between 60 and 70 per cent of the building

More than 100 guests have been evacuated after a fire ripped through a hotel in Malaga.

Smoke could be seen billowing for miles from the Ibis Hotel after the blaze broke out at around 1.25am on Monday. Witnesses reported flames in the basement of the hotel on Cerrojo Street, according to local reports. There were no reports of injuries.

Salvador Castillo, head of the fire prevention service at the Royal Fire Brigade of Malaga, said between 60 and 70 per cent of the hotel had been damaged by the fire. The blaze is believed to have started at Le Grand Cafe Centro, located next to the building.

Speaking to El Español, Castillo said: "The first floor is quite badly affected; some parts have even detached from the floor slab due to the flames." He added that experts would assess the full extent of the damage to the upper floors in the coming days.

COPE Malaga reported on Monday afternoon that the fire was still active, with thick smoke and a strong smell of burning lingering across much of central Malaga overnight and into the early hours.

Fire crews have been working throughout the day to bring the blaze under control. The fire initially tore through the first floor before spreading further through the building, with flames seen coming from hotel room windows.

Residents across Malaga reported seeing the large plume of smoke from their homes, according to El Español.

Malaga City Council said on social media that two additional crews, each with a fire engine, had joined the four teams already at the scene since 3.30pm. Six fire crews are now tackling the blaze, using two aerial ladder trucks, four fire engines and three water tankers.

Local police have closed several streets and pedestrian access points nearby, particularly around Cerrojo Street, to allow emergency services to work safely.

The Andalusian Health Service said emergency teams had not needed to treat anyone. Emergency services evacuated more than 100 guests.

The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, although local reports suggest it originated in the restaurant next to the hotel.

Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.