Thousands Tackle Deadly Madeira Wildfire

Three people have died in a wildfire which has torn through the Portuguese island of Madeira, prompting a massive emergency response.

A thousand people have been evacuated from homes and hotels near the capital Funchal, where three elderly people died in two separate house fires.

Two people have also been seriously injured and another is missing, according to Portuguese newspaper Publico.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of starting the fire, police have said.

The National Civil Protection Service has sent 3,300 firefighters to tackle the blaze, along with 23 water-dumping aircraft.

Fire service officials said the steep hills and dense woodland around Funchal made it difficult to reach the flames.

City mayor Paulo Cafofo said it was "impossible" to calculate how many buildings were caught in the blaze, but told Publico that a five-star hotel and spa had been completely consumed.

Madeira, a popular spot for British holidaymakers, has experienced temperatures of more than 35C since Monday.

More than 300 people have been treated for minor burns and smoke inhalation.

Strong winds from North Africa have fanned smoke from the blaze, disrupting flights at Madeira Airport.

Britons booked to travel from Madeira to Edinburgh and Glasgow were left stranded for more than 12 hours on Tuesday, after EasyJet and Jet2.com cancelled flights.

An EasyJet spokeswoman said: "Although this is beyond EasyJet's control, we would like to apologise to affected customers and thank them for their understanding."

In a post on Facebook British tourist Cath Allen said she had been evacuated from her hotel in Funchal, after the complex's gardens caught fire "in seconds".

She added: "(There are) terrifying fires blazing in many places so I feel really devastated as so many locals will have lost their homes and some maybe their lives.

"(I am) just thankful to be somewhere safe."

In mainland Portugal a wildfire forced the closure of a major highway near Viseu, while another blaze cut power lines in nearby Agueda.

On Tuesday, Portuguese capital Lisbon was hazy as smoke from fires in the surrounding region drifted into the city.

Fire chiefs said that some of their firefighters have been battling blazes non-stop since Saturday, when temperatures reached 44C.