A hotel in the centre of Malaga is at risk of collapse after being ravaged by a fire for more than 24 hours.

More than 100 guests have been evacuated from the Ibis after flames were first detected at 1.26am on Monday inside Le Grande Cafe, which takes up the ground flood of the building.

The property’s combination of wrought iron, timber structures and acoustic insulation materials are reported to have helped the fire and smoke spread rapidly.

According to firefighters, the blaze later reignited during the afternoon, forcing emergency crews to continue battling flames and thick smoke overnight into Tuesday.

Authorities say the condition of the structure is now severely complicating efforts.

‘It is not possible to enter inside because there is a risk of collapse,’ fire service sources warned, speaking to Malaga Hoy.

‘The flooring and structure are full of holes caused by the heat.’

A huge emergency operation was active throughout Monday, initially involving four fire crews before expanding to six as conditions worsened.

Firefighters confirmed additional reinforcements and rotating crews were being brought in overnight as the operation continued into Tuesday.

The fire is believed to have started inside Le Grand Cafe, which has been almost completely destroyed.

According to Benito Martinez, the chief officer coordinating the operation, around 600 square metres of the restaurant were consumed by the flames, alongside a similar surface area on the hotel’s first floor.

‘Basically, the entire restaurant decor was made of wood and that created an enormous thermal load which spread very quickly,’ Martinez explained.

The building’s combination of wrought iron, timber structures and acoustic insulation materials also helped the fire and smoke spread rapidly through the property.

Firefighters say hidden pockets of fire remain trapped inside parts of the structure, making extinguishing efforts extremely difficult.

Although no injuries have been reported, guests have still not been allowed back inside to collect their belongings.

Emergency crews are trying where possible to retrieve passports, medication, travel documents and phones for stranded guests.

‘There will be rooms that suffered more damage than others and there will be people unable to recover their documents,’ Martinez admitted.

Guests described scenes of panic as the fire alarms sounded in the middle of the night.

‘At 1.30am the fire alarm went off and everybody ran down the stairs in a stampede,’ said Jose Alarcon, a guest staying on the third floor.

‘We saw explosions coming from the restaurant area.’

Another guest, Domingo Gil, said flashing lights and the smell of smoke woke them suddenly.

‘In three or four minutes everyone was already outside the hotel,’ he recalled. ‘We even saw the restaurant sign collapse.’

Guests were later relocated to other hotels across Malaga, including the NH Malaga, with taxis arranged for elderly people, sick guests and families with children.

Many evacuees remain uncertain whether they will ever recover their possessions.

‘Everything is up there: phones, medication, money, cards, clothes,’ Gil said. ‘I just want to leave here now.’