British visitors to France were on Tuesday warned to stay on “maximum alert” as ferocious wildfires led to the emergency evacuation of more than 2,000 terrified people including holidaymakers.
The worst blaze was in the southern Pyrenees region close to the seaside resort of Argelès-sur-Mer.
By the time it was extinguished on Tuesday morning it had destroyed 30 houses, a warehouse, and an entire campsite, while also leaving a firefighter in a critical condition in hospital.
Many of those were escaped were reportedly still in their swimsuits and shorts as they headed for temporary accommodation in gyms and other public buildings.
French regional authorities said on Tuesday that 2,000 people were evacuated during the night,
No residents or tourists were injured and most of the evacuees have been able to return to their accommodation, authorities said.
The blaze tore through a tourist area in the Pyrenees-Orientales region near the Spanish border, which was vulnerable due to “intense heat, dryness and tumultuous winds of up to 180km/h”, authorities said.
French interior minister Gerald Darmanin said on Twitter that 800 campers would need to be rehoused.
As an investigation into the infernos was launched, Mr Darmanin said there could be “worse to come”.
“I call on the population and holidaymakers to be extremely vigilant,” he added.
He said 650 firefighters supported by water-dropping aircraft fought the flames throughout the night between Monday and Tuesday.
A spokesman for the local emergency services meanwhile confirmed that campsites full of British people were in the disaster zone.
“All need to follow official instructions and remain on maximum alert at all times,” he said.
“Temperatures are rising, and there is no sign that these wildfires will stop.”
Regional official Rodrigue Furcy added: “The fire has been contained, but the area remains under close surveillance.”
Families who had quickly packed their belongings and fled the devastated area were told to be particularly cautious when they returned to their incinerated cars and holiday accommodation.
Laetitia Richard, 39, said she was lucky to escape from the Chênes Rouges (Red Oaks) campsite with her husband and two children.
“We loaded up what we could and left,” she said. “We’re alive, and that’s the main thing.”
The blaze spread exceptionally quickly due to temperatures approaching 40C and winds reaching up to 100mph.
Seventeen firefighters were wounded while fighting the flames, and one was admitted to hospital.
Roads were blocked and trains between the French city of Perpignan and the Spanish border were suspended.
The entire Pyrenees-Orientales department, which borders Spain, has been hit by a devastating drought.
Last week, firefighters battled another wildfire near the southwestern city of Bordeaux that forced around 8,000 people to flee.
France is in the middle of its fourth heat wave of the year, while blazes have also devastated large parts of Greece, Italy, Algeria and Tunisia.
