3600 firefighters continued to battle massive wildfires in Portugal on Thursday, as much of southern Europe remained at high risk under hot, dry conditions.

On Thursday afternoon, the Portuguese village of Benvende in Trancoso was surrounded by flames.

Firefighters and locals rushed to battle the flames and local pensioners were evacuated to a small chapel in the centre of the village.

“I put water in the back and the firefighters managed to help otherwise my house and my sister’s house would not survive," said Benvende resident Agustinha Nobre.

The country is under a state of alert until Sunday due to the weather forecast and the extreme risk of fires.