Residents flee as winds fan massive wildfire in southern Turkey

Smoke from a wildfire is seen in Manavgat, Antalya, Turkey July 28, 2021 in this still image taken from social media video. TWITTER/@ONURBURAKCELIK/via REUTERS

ANKARA (Reuters) - A massive forest fire in southern Turkey spread to the town of Manavgat as the flames were fanned by strong winds on Wednesday, according to the local mayor, and TV footage showed residents running for their cars as streets were engulfed in smoke.

Footage showed plumes of black smoke rising from the forest around Manavgat, 75 km (45 miles) east of the resort city of Antalya, and Mayor Sukru Sozen said flames had spread as far as the town centre, where many buildings were being evacuated.