More than 500 people have been evacuated after a forest fire broke out on the Spanish island of La Palma.

It is the first natural crisis on the island since a volcanic eruption in 2021.

The fire started early this morning in El Pinar de Puntagorda, which is a wooded area north of the island in the Canaries.

At least 11 houses were destroyed as the fire spread.

Fernando Clavijo, president of the Canary Islands, said: ‘The number of people who need to be evacuated could reach 1,000. It depends on whether we can bring these strong winds under control.’

Around 346 acres have been destroyed in the blaze.

Island authorities have been forced to seek help from other territories in the archipelago, such as Gomera and Tenerife.

Southern Europe has been baking in the unbearable Cerberus heatwave and a second, named Charon, is following on its tail, bringing yet more extreme conditions.

At least 11 houses have been destroyed in the fire (Picture: EPA)

The second heatwave has been named after a Greek god who ferries souls into the underworld.

One man died in northern Italy due to the Cerberus weather front, named after the three-headed dog who guards the gates of the underworld in Greek mythology.

The European Space Agency warned: ‘Temperatures are expected to climb to 48°C on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia – potentially the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe.’

Around 346 acres have been destroyed in the blaze (Picture: EPA)

Health authorities have issued a red alert warning for 10 Italian cities, including Rome, Florence and Bologna.

‘Heat is a silent killer. So this is the main concern that people’s lives are at risk,’ said climate scientist Hannah Cloke.

Emergency measures have also been introduced for workers in Greece, while wildfires have broken out across the country, as well as in Croatia.

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At least 11 houses have been destroyed.