Blaze tears across popular tourist resort on Costa del Sol leaving shops and restaurants devastated

A massive blaze has engulfed a popular Spanish tourist resort, leaving shops and restaurants devastated.

Footage of the scene in Malaga shows flames tearing across buildings as black smoke billows across the skies.

It is believed the fire broke out in forests surrounding the Laguna Village shopping, restaurant and beach bar complex in Estepona.

Shop manager Kate Ozog, 40, told local news site Olive Press there was “nothing left” of the once thriving businesses.

“The restaurants, the shops, everything is gone. Twenty shops or something – all gone," she said.

“It’s been such a tough summer and now the fire. We can do nothing. We have to start from scratch.”

Authorities were worried at the blaze’s proximity to a petrol station, fearing a potential explosion, Olive Press reported.

The fire took hold at around 1.45pm, with emergency services declaring an emergency shortly before 4pm, according to local reports.

Fire services used helicopters to extinguish the blaze from the air, which they later confirmed had been contained.

The luxury five star Kempinski hotel, located next to the complex, was forced to evacuate all 80 guests shortly before 3.30pm, according to Olive Press.

They were allowed to return to their rooms once the situation had been brought under control.

Some 30 homes in the vicinity were also forced to evacuate.

Fortunately no one was injured in the blaze.