MARBELLA, Spain, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- A wildfire that forced 5,000 people from their homes and hotels in a popular holiday region of Spain has been contained, authorities said Saturday.
The blaze, which began Thursday, killed at least one person, a 78-year-old British man, and injured several others, thinkSpain reported.
The fire on the Costa del Sol has blackened nearly 2,500 acres. People in several areas near Marbella were evacuated, but the fire was prevented from getting close to the city known as a favorite spot of wealthy foreigners. About 300 British expatriates live in the area.
The fire has reportedly been brought under control, but fire remained in some small areas, the BBC reported.
Authorities say they are not ruling out that the fire may have been deliberately started.
The fire is considered to be the worst of the 12,000 forest fires Spain has experienced this summer.
