MADRID, July 18 (Xinhuanet) -- The bodies of 11 Spanish firefighters were recovered Monday from the worst forest blaze in the country's central province of Guadalajara, according to local media.

    The fire, which started Saturday as a result of an improperly extinguished barbecue, spread quickly to villages nearby, prompting the local authorities to evacuate hundreds of people.

    The flame has gulped down more than 8,000 hectares of forest inthe drought-stricken province, with rescuers reporting difficulties in finding the charred bodies trapped in the blaze, which was still burning on Monday.

    The victims belonged to the same group of reserve firefighters, said the rescuers. The bodies would be airlifted to a morgue in the province later in the day.

    Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega was reported at the scene for an inspection, while Environment Minister Cristina Narbona told media that those "having a barbecue" in a high risk place were "completely irresponsible."

    An investigation team was also sent to the scene to look into the worst blaze for the past 15 years.

    Firefighters equipped with water-bombing planes said Monday they had brought under control the worst front, which had blazed a trail of several kilometers. Enditem