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Thousands evacuated as firefighters battle fire in southern France

The evacuation took place  around the villages of Grimaud and La Môle, near Saint Tropez.

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Thousands of people have been evacuated since Monday in southeastern France to escape a rapidly-advancing wildfire, reports Euronews.

The evacuations in the coastal Var department took place in the hinterland, particularly around the villages of Grimaud and La Môle, near Saint Tropez.

Twelve campsites were also evacuated, the prefecture said.

The fire broke out on Monday at the Sigues motorway service area, about 100km north-east of Toulon.

By early morning on Tuesday, it had travelled 22 kilometres and burnt 5,000 hectares of forests. About 100 houses were damaged.

Read more of this report from Euronews