France Wildfire Uncovers 400 WWII Shells, Triggers 100 Explosions

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Le Porge, France: A major wildfire in southern France has uncovered a hidden cache of about 400 World War Two-era shells and munitions, creating fresh dangers even after the blaze was brought under control.

The discovery was made in the village of Le Porge, where authorities believe intense heat from the fire triggered more than 100 explosions. The blasts were initially thought to be caused by gas cylinders, but officials later identified them as historic ammunition buried underground.

French media reported that the cache included German and French mortar rounds and anti-tank shells. Demining teams have since cleared much of the area, allowing most residents to return home, although some locations remain restricted while operations continue.

The wildfire destroyed more than 180 homes and forced families to sift through the remains of their properties. Local officials said they were unaware that wartime ammunition had been buried within the municipality until the explosions began.

The fire, which burned for around 10 days in the Gironde region before being contained, was part of a wider wave of wildfires across Europe. France and Spain were among the hardest-hit countries, with more than 330,000 people evacuated in recent weeks.

Pic Credit: AFP