Pego-Vall d'Ebo fire flares up again; two homes burn down
Monday, May 18, 2015 @ 9:45 AM
THE Costa Blanca's worst fire in over 20 years flared up again yesterday (Saturday) late afternoon and the road to the valley was cut off to traffic.
Pego (Alicante province) was surrounded by a ring of fire on Thursday – the hottest day in May in the Valencia region since 1869 – and Friday after a farmer in the Vall d'Ebo ignored warnings about the ongoing drought and extreme heat and lit a bonfire, which raged out of control.
At least 50 homes in the Los Verdales and Les Comes rural urbanisations and the residential area behind the stations of the cross, leading up to the hilltop chapel, in Pego had to be evacuated on Thursday and the main road leading from Pego to the Vall d'Ebo, on to Forna and then back to the town of Oliva in the northern Valencia province was shut.
Gas masks were handed out in Pego town centre and residents advised to stay indoors, although some who had to go out were seen holding wet towels over their faces.
All evacuees were told they could return home on Friday, but as the fire was still burning – albeit under control - many were reluctant to do so.
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