Residents told to ‘close shutters and doors’ as wildfire rages

• A fast-moving wildfire has reached the outskirts of Marseille in southern France, leading to the closure of Marseille Provence airport on Tuesday.
• The blaze near Les Pennes-Mirabeau is being tackled by 168 firefighters, supported by fire engines and helicopters.
• Two housing estates in Les Pennes-Mirabeau have been evacuated, and residents in affected areas are advised to remain indoors, avoid travel and close shutters and doors.
• High winds are fanning the flames, causing significant smoke that is visible in central Marseille, and disrupting air travel with flights diverted.
• The disruption coincides with the start of the French summer holiday period, while another active wildfire near Narbonne in southwestern France has already burnt 2,000 hectares.

IN FULL

Airport closed as huge wildfire reaches outskirts of Marseille in southern France