11 Aug 2016

Huge wildfires threaten Marseille

3:33 pm on 11 August 2016

Wildfires in southern France have forced people to flee their homes and are threatening the country's second largest city, Marseille.

1500 firefighters are battling wildfires north of Marseille, which have forced more than 1000 people to flee their homes.

1500 firefighters are battling wildfires north of Marseille, which have forced more than 1000 people to flee their homes. Photo: AFP

About 1800 firefighters are tackling the blazes and are creating a firewall to try and protect the city, along with the outlying town of Fos-sur-Mer where petrochemical plants are located.

Hundreds of children and adults have been evacuated from recreation centres and homes in the town of Vitrolles, about 25km north of Marseille.

Some homes in Vitrolles have already been destroyed.

Marseille deputy mayor Julien Ruas said the fire was "progressing fast".

The city was setting up firewalls on the corridor leading toward it, but if the fire passed those, "it will move toward the northern neighborhoods of Marseille", Mr Ruas said.

The size of the fire was "absolutely exceptional" and people should stay off the roads, he said.

1500 firefighters are battling wildfires north of Marseille, which have forced more than 1000 people to flee their homes.

The fires have already destroyed some homes in the town of Vitrolles, 25km north of Marseille. Photo: AFP

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said firefighters were being backed up by firefighting aircraft.

About 400 police officers were also being mobilised, he said.

Four firefighters had been injured battling the fires, three of them seriously, Mr Cazeneuve said.

High winds were fanning the fires and thick smoke was visible across the region.

Commercial flights leaving Marseille Airport have also been delayed or cancelled.

-Reuters / BBC