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| Europe |
| Sacre Bleu! Suburbs in flames after military exercise |
| 2009-07-23 |
| 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 |
| #15 Indulged in shelling practice in Mediterranean country during the dry season? Somebody just wasn't thinking. It looks like the California hills burning because they're similar climates & similar terrain, as I understand it. Marseille is even known for siroccos, their very own version of the Santa Ana. |
| Posted by: Mitch H. 2009-07-23 13:41 |
| #14 Holy crap! Check out the pics at the link. Looks like the California hills burning - again. What the h-e-double-toothpicks did they do? |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2009-07-23 12:44 |
| #13 I attacked by Chipmonks they would have surrendered - not fought. |
| Posted by: Hellfish 2009-07-23 12:20 |
| #12 Careful, might give the youts ideas. |
| Posted by: gorb 2009-07-23 12:01 |
| #11 The French have such quaint habits, like burning cars in their suburbs. A practice that only makes sense to them. |
| Posted by: Richard of Oregon 2009-07-23 10:20 |
| #10 a few dozen houses burnt ... but there are no victims Tell that to the guys whose houses burned down. Jeez. |
| Posted by: Spot 2009-07-23 08:19 |
| #9 Looks like it's a bit dry at the moment in this part of France. |
| Posted by: Gladys 2009-07-23 05:44 |
| #8 Not exactly a whiff of grapeshot but it does appear to have cleared the streets. I don't think Napoleon would be pleased though. |
| Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy 2009-07-23 02:50 |
| #7 A lot has changed since Verdun. |
| Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy 2009-07-23 02:34 |
| #6 Napolean's ghost is risen, n'est pas? |
| Posted by: GirlThursday 2009-07-23 01:39 |
| #5 Anguper takes an early lead for Snark Of The Day in #4 |
| Posted by: SteveS 2009-07-23 01:35 |
| #4 Why would they need to practice? So that things like this don't happen. |
| Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2009-07-23 00:46 |
| #3 France has an army? Why would they need to practice? |
| Posted by: gromky 2009-07-23 00:32 |
| #2 Is this one of the self-igniting suburbs? |
| Posted by: James 2009-07-23 00:24 |
| #1 Maybe they were trying to fight the rabid chipmunk invasion... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2009-07-23 00:14 |