Dozens of tourists were rescued after a forest fire ripped through a hillside in Phuket, Thailand, on Saturday evening.

Footage shows the flames burning through woodland near several hotel resorts at the Laem Krating Cape on February 5.

No casualties were reported, but authorities reportedly had difficulties suppressing the fire - which was detected at around 4 pm local time - because it had spread to an inaccessible area of the cliff.

Firefighters arrived to save stranded holidaymakers and residents, while the navy also sent rescue boats for those who could not be reached via land transport.

Phuket governor Narong Woonciew said the fire had spread rapidly at around 7:50 pm local time. He added that first responders had been sent from Tambon Rawai Municipality to control the blaze and evacuate civilians.

Rawai Municipality Mayor Aroon Solos said authorities are now investigating the off-season forest fire, which is estimated to have razed an area of more than 50 rai (80,000 sqm).