PISA – Hundreds of people have been evacuated as a huge, powerful blaze engulfs Monte Serra, in Pisano, raging dangerously close to homes, firefighters said on Monday.

 Fanned by strong winds, the fire has destroyed dozens of hectares of forest and is threatening the village of Montemagno and the areas of Torre and San Lorenzo.

 Mayor of Calci Massimiliano Ghimenti has ordered residents to evacuate their homes as a preventative measure. 

 “Anyone who sees the fire nearby should contact us immediately and leave the house,” Mr Ghimenti urged via Facebook a few hours ago. 

 Hundreds of displaced residents have sought refuge in the Calci municipal gym. People suffering respiratory problems due to smoke inhalation have been admitted to the Cisanello hospital in Pisa.

 Firefighters from all over Tuscany, along with volunteer teams, Civil Protection, and Canadair have joined forces to battle the blaze.

 Believed to be an arson attack, flames were first spotted at around 10pm on Monday, Sep. 24. 

 Winds of up to 80 kilometres per hour are hampering firefighting efforts, the National Firefighters Corp said on Twitter.

 cc