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Fury at French army over wildfire Fury at French army over wildfire
(about 8 hours later)
The French army has come under stinging criticism after a military exercise caused a forest fire that forced people to flee their threatened homes. Foreign legionnaires in the French army have been strongly criticised for starting a forest fire which spread to the outskirts of Marseille.
The local prefect condemned the exercise, which sparked a fire that spread from the countryside to the outskirts of Marseille, as "imbecilic". Seven firemen and police were hurt, and hundreds of people fled their homes.
Michel Sappin said the military knew the scrubland was vulnerable because the same thing had happened last year. French Prime Minister Francois Fillon, viewing the devastation, said clear instructions had not been followed and the mistake was "inexcusable".
The fire started when soldiers fired tracer bullets against regulations. The officer in charge when soldiers fired tracer bullets during a training exercise has been suspended.
The blaze threatened some 400 homes and elderly residents had to be evacuated. The firing of the bullets went against regulations.
Personally, I can't see the need to carry out military exercises in 32-degree heat and a strong wind Marseille Mayor Jean-Claude GaudinPersonally, I can't see the need to carry out military exercises in 32-degree heat and a strong wind Marseille Mayor Jean-Claude Gaudin
Inhabitants of a retirement home in La Panouse, south of Marseille, had to be carried away in their pyjamas at 0300 (0100 GMT). A nearby centre for the disabled was also cleared as the fire approached. It was the second time in two years that the military had started a wildfire.
By Thursday morning, rescue workers said it had been brought under control, although some 500 firefighters remain at the scene. Seven firefighters and police were slightly injured overnight. Mr Fillon said: "Everyone knows among the soldiers who use the camp that tracer bullets are banned.
'Violation of orders' "There are very clear instructions and regular work is done with the ranks to remind them of the rules. It is a mistake that no explanation can excuse."
Defence Minister Herve Morin added: "On this occasion we have got an NCO who... has not obeyed instructions. This is all appalling."
'Incredible stupidity'
The blaze threatened some 400 homes and elderly residents had to be evacuated.
The fire reached the outskirts of Marseille
Inhabitants of a retirement home in La Panouse, south of Marseille, had to be carried away in their pyjamas in the early hours of the morning.
A nearby centre for the disabled was also cleared as the fire approached.
By Thursday morning, rescue workers said it had been brought under control, although some 500 firefighters remained at the scene.
Marseille's mayor and senator, Jean-Claude Gaudin, demanded that the military help out with the clean-up operation.Marseille's mayor and senator, Jean-Claude Gaudin, demanded that the military help out with the clean-up operation.
Marseille officials and residents are angry at the military over the fire
"Personally, I can't see the need to carry out military exercises in 32-degree heat and a strong wind. It must really have been someone who is not from around here who took this decision," he said."Personally, I can't see the need to carry out military exercises in 32-degree heat and a strong wind. It must really have been someone who is not from around here who took this decision," he said.
"We did the best we can but when you're faced with this kind of incredible stupidity, you need to say so with a certain force.""We did the best we can but when you're faced with this kind of incredible stupidity, you need to say so with a certain force."
Later, military spokesman Col Benoit Royal said it had found that tracer rounds had been "used in violation of orders given". Strong winds and high temperatures have helped trigger fires across the region.
As a result, the army general staff decided to suspend the soldier in charge, a section head of the 1st Foreign Legion regiment. In Spain, the high-speed rail link between Madrid and Barcelona was suspended because of blazes in the north-east of the country.
Strong winds and high temperatures have helped trigger fires across the region. In Spain, the high-speed rail link between Madrid and Barcelona has been suspended because of blazes in the north-east of the country. Four firefighters were killed in Tarragona province on Wednesday, and another on Thursday, while more than 1,000 people were evacuated from their homes.
Four firefighters were killed in Tarragona province on Wednesday, while more than 1,000 people were evacuated from their homes.
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