Hundreds of firefighters are tackling a massive wildfire near Turin in northwest Italy.

Local residents have been evacuated from their homes and others have been left without water and power after the blaze ripped through the mountains in the Susa Valley region.

Strong winds and dry conditions have rapidly accelerated the spread of the fire, which has been burning since the early hours of Friday morning.

About 200 volunteers have joined emergency crews and firefighting aircraft to combat the flames.

The fire is understood to have started in a wooded area near the historic Sanctuary of Sant’Ignazio, near Lanzo Torinese, which is about 30km northwest of Turin.

It then spread to affect ​​the nearby towns of Pessinetto, Germagnano and Traves.

Flames have so far burnt nearly 9,000 acres of land.