Three people have died, including an elderly woman, and more than 1,000 people have been evacuated after a wildfire tore across the Portuguese island of Madeira. 
The wildfire hit Funchal, which has a population of 111,000, is one of Portugal's main tourist destinations. 
Several buildings were destroyed in the fire include a five star hotel, according to reports, while two people have been seriously injured. 
A 24-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday, accused of starting the fire deliberately in the mountains of Sao Roque, just outside the city of Funchal. 
Judicial police sources told local media that the suspect "has a criminal record as an arsonist". 
Several wildfires have been raging across the Portuguese continent for several days, with police officials admitting on Wednesday that seven have spun out of control. 
A team of more than 3,000 firefighters are tackling the blazes with the support of 23 water-dumping aircraft. 
However, Madeira's hilly terrain and deep woodland is making it difficult to get access to the worst affected areas. 
Regional President Miguel Albuquerque said on Wednesday that temperatures were cooling temperatures, which is expected to help put the fire out. 
A further 125 fires have broken out on the Portuguese mainland, but these are thought to be less serious. 
They appear to have been caused by a combination of high temperatures, parched woodland and strong winds - August is seen as the peak time for wildfires in Portugal and other southern European countries.

Source: QNA