A Scottish family were forced to evacuate their hotel on Spain's Costa del Sol just an hour after they had arrived, as a raging bush fire started tearing through the area.

A Scottish family were forced to evacuate their hotel on Spain's Costa del Sol just an hour after they had arrived, as a raging bush fire started tearing through the area.

Paul and Valerie Clark, who were travelling with their three children, were just unpacking in their room when they were forced to flee the hotel as the blaze suddenly changed direction and approached their accommodation.

When the family, from Dalgety Bay, Fife, arrived at the Club La Costa apartments, the mountains in the distance were ablaze.





Holiday hell: Paul and Valerie Clark were with their three children, Caitlin, 16, Logan, 11, and eight-year-old Isla when they were forced to flee the Spanish holiday resort



But a sudden change in wind sent the fire surging towards their holiday complex they were staying in with their children Caitlin, 16, Logan, 11 and Isla, eight.


The couple, who both work for HM Revenue and Customs in the capital, had to grab their belongings and flee.


Paul, 46, a tax officer, said: 'By this time thick smoke had blacked out the sun and hot ash was raining down on everyone.


'It looked bad when one of the Spanish porters ran up to our balcony swore in English then ran off back to reception.






Warning: The blaze started in the hills above the Andalucian coastline, but was blown down onto the resort by changing winds



'He came back minutes later and told us it was time to go.


'Our youngest daughter Isla was crying at this stage, shouting, 'We're going to die' and started stuffing her clothes into carrier bags.


'I grabbed our passports and cash and changed out of my flip-flops into my trainers so I could run faster.


'Our eyes were streaming with tears and no-one knew what to do.


'It was scary stuff and all sorts of things are going through your head, but I just wanted to get everyone to safety.'

He added: 'It was like Mount Vesuvius had erupted and we were in Pompeii.




Safe: The family are now based in the resort of Fuengirola, which is a favourite among British holidaymakers



'We just followed everyone else and made our way down to the beach to get away from the smoke and flames.


'Holidaymakers were still arriving from the airport in taxis, but the drivers took one look at the situation and sped off.'

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