Aerial video footage showed a rapidly spreading wildfire 21 kilometers outside the Spanish capital Madrid on Monday.

The fire was believed to have started around 19:45 local time (17:45gmt), Monday, on the outskirts of the Tres Cantos commuter town, north of Madrid.

A new complex of apartment blocks was in the trajectory of the flames.

The fire was burning mainly in scrub and grassland but strong winds were quickly spreading the flames.

A total of 12 fire engines and 3 helicopters were sent to the area, according to regional authorities.

At 23:00 local time the emergency services advised that a man had been rescued with 98 per cent burns to his body.

He was flown by helicopter to a local hospital, and the circumstances of his injuries were not immediately clear.