Emergency declared over Canada city fire

A state of emergency has been declared in the province of Alberta in Canada after a wildfire forced all 88,000 residents of Fort McMurray to flee.

Officials warn that the fast-moving blaze could destroy much of the city and the next 24 hours will be crucial, reports BBC.

The fire, which broke out on Sunday, has gutted 1,600 structures, including a new school, in Fort McMurray.

The evacuation was the largest in Alberta's history. Nearby oil companies have been forced to cut output.

Several firms operating in Alberta's oil sands region have shut down some pipelines.

This was done to help evacuate non-essential personnel, reports say.

So far there have been no reports of injuries in the wildfire.