Nine firefighters are among at least 13 people who are injured after Marseille’s mayor said a wildfire is “at the gates” of the southern French city.
A local fire service earlier said 168 firefighters had been deployed to fight the blaze after it broke out near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, north of Marseille.
The wildfire has so far burned 700 hectares and damaged more than 10 buildings, a local official told reporters.
Georges-Francois Leclerc, prefect of the Bouches-du-Rhone area which includes Marseille and Les Pennes-Mirabeau, said there have been no reported fatalities.
However he said nine firefighters had been injured during the wildfire response, according to news outlet France Bleu.
Marseille wildfire live: Follow latest updates
Sky News’ Europe correspondent Adam Parsons reports that four people who live in Marseille have been injured due to the fires.
Meanwhile, flights have been suspended at Marseille Provence Airport after the runway was closed at around midday local time (11am UK time) due to the blaze in Les Pennes-Mirabeau.
It came before Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan warned people in the 16th arrondissement of the city to “remain confined” as the blaze approaches France’s second most populated city.
French firefighters work to contain a fire in the Fontfroide near Narbonne in Aude, Southern France.
Pic: Reuters
French firefighters work to contain a fire as wildfires continue to spread near Narbonne in Aude department in southern France.
Pic: Reuters
He wrote on X: “The violent fire declared in Pennes-Mirabeau is now at the gates of Marseille.
“I ask all Marseillais to be extremely vigilant and to limit their movements as much as possible to make way for emergency services, particularly in the north of the city.
“Residents of the 16th arrondissement are requested to remain confined.”
Smoke rising near Saint Exupery High School in Marseille.
Pic: @shuusJh
He added that the French Navy would form part of the response to the fire.
Mr Payan has said dozens of people have been evacuated this afternoon.
“Around a hundred houses” were saved by firefighters, he said, adding “the weather conditions are very difficult”.
Smoke over the mountains near Marseille.
Pic:@thisisoim_/Malik H
The city of Marseille has said gyms in Vallier, Rosé Fuveau, Croix Rouge and Estaque Rabelais are preparing to provide accommodation for people who need it.
It comes as Martine Vassal, president of the Aix-Marseille-Provence area, has said the blaze was caused by a car that caught fire by the side of a motorway.
“Given the strength of the wind, it jumped the highway and from then on, it was very difficult to control,” she said.
Ms Vassal insisted it was “too early to say” if the fire was caused by arson or an accident, but added that an investigation has been opened.
Smoke rises during wildfire near Marseille
Meanwhile, train services have been suspended in both directions between Marseille and the commune of Miramas around 46 miles away.
It followed a fire near the tracks in L’Estaque in the north of Marseille.
Smoke rising near Saint Exupery High School in Marseille.
Pic: @shuusJh
Smoke rises during a wildfire in Pennes-Mirabeau, near Marseille, southern France. Pic: SDIS13/AP
Fire engines and helicopters have so far been used in the response to the fire.
Residents in Les Pennes-Mirabeau were urged to keep streets clear to avoid hindering emergency services.
With the fire approaching Marseille, the prefecture also advised residents in the northern area of the city to remain inside with doors and windows closed to prevent toxic smoke from entering their homes.