Thousands evacuated after massive fire at dump

An investigation has been launched following a tyre fire resulted in thousands of people being evacuated from their homes in Seseña, near to Madrid.

The fire, which broke out on Friday afternoon, has resulted in a number of regions being put on alert.

The blaze, which is suspected to be due to arson, caused emergency services to raise their alert level to Level 2.

Ten firefighter units from Madrid and Toledo are working with heavy machinery to put out the fire along with helicopters with extinguishing equipment on board.

Local officials ordered the evacuation of the Quinon de Sesena area, where 9,000 people live, saying human health might be at risk.

However, many residents have already left their homes and it is thought that just 1,000 people are still there.

Investigators believe the fire was started deliberately early on Friday.

Emergency services were called to the town of Sesena, 35 km (22 miles) south of Madrid, at 01:00 local time (23:00 GMT on Thursday).

They sent 10 teams of fire-fighters, who have battled the blaze all day.