Huge wildfire reaches ‘gates of’ Marseille in southern France as airport closed and train service disrupted
Planes have not been taking off or landing at the airport since midday
Astrong
A fast-moving wildfire reached the outer edge of Marseille in southern France on Tuesday, prompting the closure of Marseille Provence airport and an order to residents to stay indoors.
The fire near France's second most populous city has burned through 700 hectares (1,730 acres) and is considered to be under control, even though it is still burning, regional prefect Georges-Francois Leclerc said, but a forecast of strong winds meant there was a risk it could advance further.
About 10 buildings have been at least partly hit by the fire, but no fatalities have been reported, and hundreds of homes have been saved by firefighters, he said.
The blaze, fanned by winds of up to 70 km (43 miles) per hour, could be smelled in the centre of Marseille as thick clouds of smoke hovered over the city on the Mediterranean coast.
"It’s very striking - apocalyptic even," said Monique Baillard, a resident of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, the town north of Marseille where officials said the fire started on a highway.
As the fire was spreading, residents received alerts on their phones telling them to stay at home and put damp cloths on any openings.
Residents were told not to evacuate unless ordered to, so that roads could be left clear for rescue services.
"At this stage, populations must remain confined to residential areas," the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur prefecture posted on X.
"Close shutters and doors, keep your property clear for emergency services, and do not travel on the roads."
The high winds prompted evacuations in Les Pennes-Mirabeau, BFM TV reported, citing interviews with locals in the town. The winds could be seen buffeting trees and the on-air reporters.
The spokesperson for Marseille airport said planes had not been taking off or landing since around midday and some flights had been diverted to Nice, Nimes and other regional airports. Train lines heading to and from Marseille were also suspended.
The disruption comes just as the French summer vacation period begins.
"The fire is spreading," the Marseille municipality said on X. "Avoid all outdoor activities and do not block emergency access routes. Follow instructions and alert messages."
Meanwhile, a wildfire that started near Narbonne, in southwestern France, was also still active on Monday. Some 2,000 hectares have been burnt there, the local prefecture said.
