Mass Evacuations as Forest Fires in Marseille Rage On

MARSEILLE, KOMPAS.com – Raging forest fires in Marseille triggered mass evacuations for around 2,700 people on Wednesday, officials said.

Some evacuees were escorted by boat to escape the forest fires that continue to rage in the southern city of France.

Flames broke out on Tuesday afternoon and were worsened due to strong winds. Nearly 1,800 firefights are working to put out the forest fires in Marseille.

The fires have ravaged about 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of vegetation and are threatening residential areas and campsites near the coast, the fire service said.

No casualties have been reported, "but material damage has still to be evaluated," it said.

The blazes are not yet under control, but lighter winds are expected later Wednesday.

Eight campsites near the towns of Martigues, where the fire erupted, and Sausset-les-Pins have been evacuated "as a preventative measure", the fire service said.

Some of the tourists at the sites were taken by boat and are being looked after by local authorities.

A care home for the elderly was also evacuated.

A second blaze in the same region broke out near an industrial park, and raged across 120 hectares, damaging a house and several businesses.

(Writers & Editors: IW/ICH/WDB/SPM, Agence France-Presse) 

Source: http://u.afp.com/3BWR