Historic Rocky Mountains ski resort is devastated by 330ft-high 'monster' wildfire with 50% of town burnt to the ground

The popular tourist destination of Jasper, in the Canadian province of Alberta, has been rocked by the inferno - which has even reached a luxury hotel that was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II.

While the town has just 5,000 permanent residents, 25,000 people fled the scene overnight with flames higher than treetops, devastating up to half of its structures, officials said on Thursday.

The blaze was also confirmed to have spread to Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, a 100-year-old retreat beloved by the royal family.

The late Queen and Prince Philip stayed in the hotel in 2005, nearly 70 years after Princess Margaret, King George VI and his daughter, the future monarch, were guests in 1936.

The hotel said they were 'unclear about the extent of the damage' caused by the fire.

The wildfire came in the wake of Alberta being the site of scorching temperatures that have already forced another 7,500 people out of remote communities.