About 1,000 people have been forced to flee a huge mountain fire on the holiday island of Gran Canaria.

Troops have been drafted in to help 200 firefighters battle the blaze, which currently spans nearly 2,500 acres, about 20 miles from the capital Las Palmas.

Helicopters and planes are being used to drop water on the area in an attempt to tackle the raging inferno.

Strong winds and temperatures of more than 32C (90F) are hampering efforts to douse the flames.

The fire poses a threat to several towns as well as the Tamadaba natural park on the west of the island, according to the authorities.


It had initially been thought the fire, which started on Saturday, had been brought under control, but it flared up again on Sunday morning.

The Gran Canaria fire brigade tweeted: "We are overwhelmed by the situation. We continue working and fighting for our island."

Witness Carla Rodriguez described the scene of destruction as "one of the most painful images I've seen in my life".

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

A 55-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the blaze, thought to have been started by a soldering iron.