Scrub fire near Santa Margarita

Spanish fire fighters launched a major operation on response to a fire that swept across scrub in the hills behind La Linea, pushed by strong winds toward residential areas in Santa Margarita.

Three planes and three helicopters dropped water on the fire, which officials from the regional Plan Infoca believe may have started in a rubbish container at around 1.30pm.

Scores of fire fighters worked on the ground to bring the blaze under control throughout the afternoon but at 8.30pm, it was still live.

A plume of thick smoke could been billowing into the sky and some areas of Santa Margarita were evacuated.