The blaze roared into Funchal, the capital of Portugal’s Madeira Islands, in the early morning on Wednesday after growing in the dense woodlands since Monday.
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He said 80 people were in hospital suffering from burns and smoke inhalation, including two in a serious condition.
A vast ball of smoke was seen above Funchal on Tuesday with the evening sky turned orange by the flames, prompting locals to photograph the scene from surrounding hills.
Cooler overnight temperatures briefly helped Portuguese firefighters battle other wildfires that have raged for several days on the mainland, although seven major wildfires were still out of control and 125 other blazes were being fought by mid-afternoon.
Summer forest fires are common in Portugal, which in 2003 suffered its deadliest blazes, killing 19 people and destroying around 10 per cent of the country’s forests.
Mainland Portugal has also been struck by a spate of forest fires since Friday with the north of the country, where temperatures have surged to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), particularly hard hit.
Regional President Miguel Albuquerque told newsmen, “The situation is complex but not catastrophic”, as he insisted that the fires have been brought under control in many parts. At least 37 houses and a five-star hotel had burned down.
Portugal’s National Civil Protection Service reported 14 major wildfires burning out of control in mainland Portugal where nearly 4,500 firefighters were in action in a massive operation, supported by 28 water-dumping aircraft and 1,300 vehicles. Flames from forest fires licked at hom.
Flights were also disrupted at Madeira Airport due to high levels of smoke.
But the blazes were exceptionally powerful in both countries, roaring through Madeira and southern France at the height of the tourist season – a mainstay of the economy of Madeira islands, off northwest Africa.
The hotel was caught in the forest fires that are raging in Madeira and have forced the evacuation of more than 1,000 residents and tourists. Albuquerque, the regional government chief, said officials suspect that fire was started deliberately and police have made two arrests.
Those who evacuated were taken to an army barracks, a football stadium, and a civic centre on the island.
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The Portuguese interior ministry said on Wednesday it had requested help from the European Union.
