Two British tourists 'arrested after starting huge forest fire' near holiday resort

Fire: Huge plumes of smoke were seen across Magaluf today after the blaze on Black Lizard island

Two British tourists have reportedly been arrested after allegedly starting a huge fire on an island off Magaluf.

Police believe a discarded cigarette butt led to the blaze on the uninhabited Isla de sa Porrassa, also known as Black Lizard island - which is located in the bay of the popular holiday resort.

Eyewitnesses said the suspects ran off and tried to escape on a pedalo but were caught by police.

Flames and thick plumes of black smoke could be seen across Magaluf Bay this evening as forest firefighters aided by two helicopters tackled the blaze.

The incident occurred at around 7pm local time on an island known to British tourists as Black Lizard Island because of the high numbers of black lizards that inhabit the island.

Although no one lives on the island, it is visited during the summer season by many tourists who swim out to it or reach it by pedalo.