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Sacre Bleu! Suburbs in flames after military exercise
MILITARY bombing practice has caused one of France's worst fires for three years which continues to rage on the eastern outskirts of Marseille. The fire has burnt dozens of homes but claimed no victims.The wildfire was caused by military practice shelling which hit the eastern Trois-Ponts suburb of the southern city forcing the evacuation of scores of residents. "There are a few dozen houses burnt in the Trois-Ponts district but there are no victims," fire brigade spokesman Samuel Champon said. "There are more homes threatened than vehicles mobilised." The fire moved down a hill outside the city and threatened the Trois-Ponts district where residents sprayed water on the outside of their houses before they moved out. People in neighbouring La Barasse also left, although local authorities said no evacuation order had been given. About 1200ha of brush was razed by the blaze. "We are in a defensive mission for the moment," Mr Champon, pointing to "problems with the lie of the land" and difficulties in accessing water points. A thick black smoke swirled around the district and many residents angrily criticised the French army which had staged artillery training at its Carpiagne camp just before the fire started. Regional prefect Michel Sappin confirmed that the blaze had been started by the shelling, lashing out at the "imbecilic" action that had led to "an annoying and serious" situation in a zone close to a city and saying he was "exasperated". In such weather conditions, with high winds, the army should refrain from carrying out shelling practice, he said. Posted by: tipper 2009-07-23 |
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