Forest fire in Spain kills four firemen

MADRID, July 21 (Xinhua) -- A forest fire in northeastern Spain has killed at least four firemen and severely injured two others, local government said Tuesday.

The fire, starting Monday in a natural park in Horta de Sant Joan, Tarragona , had been seemingly under control on early Tuesday, said the local government in a statement.

However, it said, a change of wind direction later on Tuesday rapidly spread the flame and trapped the firemen.

The two injured were being treated at Barcelona's Hospital Del Valle.

So far, the fire has destroyed 800 hectares of land, half of which belongs to the natural park of Ports.

Both Defense Minister Carme Chacon and Environment Minister Elena Espinosa Tuesday warned against trips to this region and delivered the government's condolences towards the victims.

The local government has ordered evacuation of affected residents.