‘Heat apocalypse’ warning in western France as thousands flee wildfire

Nearly 25,000 escape blaze sparked by southern European heatwave that has already killed hundreds of people

Firefighters near Landiras, south-western France (SDIS 33 via AP)

Meteorologists have warned of a “heat apocalypse” in western France as more than 8,500 further people fled their homes to escape a large wildfire sparked by a searing southern European heatwave that has already caused hundreds of deaths.

Nearly 25,000 people have been forced to abandon homes, holiday rentals and campsites for emergency shelters in the Gironde département west of Bordeaux, with blazes in Spain, Portugal and Greece forcing thousands more to flee.