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The French Riviera Is Burning
Forest fires swept through the French Riviera on Tuesday, killing at least three people, devastating scenic woods and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people from prized vacation areas. Firefighters speculated that the fires â some 30 that broke out nearly simultaneously on Monday â were caused by arson. Molotov cocktails were found in the region, according to radio and television reports. Thatâs a lot of fires for one arsonist. The mayor of Roquebrune-Sur-Argens, Luc Jousse, called the fires ââa new form of terrorism.ââ Corsicans? Firefighters and equipment were sent from elsewhere in France, and even from Italy, to back up the approximately 1,500 firefighters who worked through the night. Some 100 extra soldiers also were sent to help 300 troops already in place. Fires raged through some of the most prized vacation areas in the Var region, concentrated in the areas around Frejus, 25 miles from Cannes and Sainte-Maxime, to the west. President Jacques Chirac, in Papeete, Tahiti, promised that ââthe guilty will be sought out with extreme rigorââ and ââsanctions will be of an extraordinary severity.ââ "Now excuse me, I have to work on my tan." Posted by: Steve 2003-07-29 |
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