Marjal blaze forces evacuations

Three homes had to be evacuated after a blaze broke out in the Pego-Oliva Marjal just before the weekend close to the main road from the N-332.

The fire started at around 15.45 in an area of scrubland within the wetland nature reserve, causing clouds of smoke to billow across the CV-715, which runs directly to Oliva's southern beaches from Pego town centre.

Occupants of three rural cottages had to flee their homes, instructed by emergency services.

They were able to return within just over an hour.

Firefighters spent the rest of the evening dousing the area to stop the flames flaring up again.