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Strong wildfire hits S. France, four firefighters wounded: ministry

Xinhua, August 11, 2016 Adjust font size:

Fast-moving wildfires continue to ravage drought-parched forests in France's southwestern departments, injuring four firefighters, the country's interior ministry said on Wednesday.

"A very virulent wildfire" wounded four firefighters, three them in critical situation, after "their vehicle was surrounded by flames," the ministry added.

Some 700 firefighters were working to contain the blaze which started earlier in the day in l'Herault, l'Aude, le Gard et les Bouches-du-Rhone, according to the ministry's statement.

Due to high winds, fire was threatening "sensitive" industrial zones in the area and prompting evacuation of about 1,000 residents in Vitrolles city, according to local reports.

The blaze destroyed 1,000-hectare forest in the region, they added.

"The fire continues to progress towards Pennes-Mirabeau and Marseille. Many homes are in this direction... The situation is now unfavorable," BFMTV reported, quoting firefighters. Enditem