The OAP was among 2,000 people – including terrified Brit tourists and expats – forced to flee after “suspicious fires” erupted into massive infernos across holiday hotspots near Benidorm. <br /> <br />Three fires were deliberately started on one of the hottest days of the year, emergency authorities have said. <br /> <br />The blazes – reported to have been started by teen arsonists – erupted in Javea, south of Valencia, where half of the 30,000 population were born outside Spain. <br /> <br />Police said the 93-year-old man lashed out at cops after he had a panic attack as officers went door to door in a life-saving operation in residential areas of Calistro and Pino Sol, close to Benitachell. <br /> <br />Officers managed to calm him down and guided him to safety. <br /> <br />Fanned by winds, dry conditions and high temperatures, the fire spread quickly. <br /> <br />"Record heat scorched Spain yesterday with many places seeing highs in the upper 90s," said weather.com meteorologist Brian Donegan. "The air was also very dry, with a 5-10 mph wind. Those hot, dry conditions were not ideal for firefighters battling the blaze. Although a 5-10 mph wind seems light, that's all it takes to spread a fire on a hot, dry day like yesterday." <br /> <br />More than 300 people sought sanctuary in local schools and shelters. <br />Read more here.. <br />http://marygreeley.com/?page_id=35801
