This is the moment a lightning strike sparked a dramatic fire among palm trees near to homes in Torrevieja on Friday.

Footage shared by local weather service Proyecto Mastral showed flames engulfing the trees as thick black smoke billowed above the Los Balcones urbanisation.

The blaze broke out as intense thunderstorms swept across the Costa Blanca and neighbouring Murcia region, triggering weather warnings, flooding and widespread disruption.

Proyecto Mastral said rainfall in Torrevieja was already approaching 20 litres per square metre.

Residents have been urged to avoid exposed areas during thunderstorms and to remain clear of trees, flood channels and roads covered by water.

The storm formed part of a wider episode of severe weather affecting Spain’s Mediterranean coast, with torrential rain forecast to continue during the weekend.

A red alert was issued in parts of Murcia on Friday before being downgraded to a less severe orange warning.

Meanwhile, Andalucia has activated its flood emergency plan as heavy rain and thunderstorms threaten six of the region’s eight provinces.

Emergencies minister Antonio Sanz announced that the plan had entered level one on Friday.

The measure covers Almeria, Granada, Jaen, Cordoba, Sevilla and Huelva.

Residents have been urged to avoid riverbeds, flood-prone areas and any roads covered by water.

‘Protect yourself, don’t risk it,’ Sanz warned, telling the public to follow instructions issued by the 112 emergency service.