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French army drills 'cause fire' | French army drills 'cause fire' |
(31 minutes later) | |
French firefighters have been tackling a major wildfire sparked by a military exercise on the outskirts of Marseille. | French firefighters have been tackling a major wildfire sparked by a military exercise on the outskirts of Marseille. |
The blaze threatened some 400 homes and forced the evacuation of a retirement home and centre for disabled people. | The blaze threatened some 400 homes and forced the evacuation of a retirement home and centre for disabled people. |
Officials say the fire is now "under control", although some 500 firefighters remain at the scene. | Officials say the fire is now "under control", although some 500 firefighters remain at the scene. |
A senior government official said he was "furious" with the army and troops should have taken more care while carrying out artillery practice. | |
"It's completely unacceptable that the army keeps up these activities during this period as though there was no problem," regional prefect Michel Sappin told RTL radio. | |
The French armed forces announced they had suspended a Foreign Legion officer who was in charge of the practice, the AFP news agency reports. | |
Wildfires are common in southern France in summer. | Wildfires are common in southern France in summer. |
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the fires? Let us know by using the form below. | Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the fires? Let us know by using the form below. |
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Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. |
Read the terms and conditions At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | Read the terms and conditions At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |