Wild fire in South France burns forest, arson deemed as likely cause

2010-07-26 02:39:53 GMT2010-07-26 10:39:53 (Beijing Time) Xinhua English

PARIS, July 25 (Xinhua) -- About 900 hectares of forest and plants were licked by fire which started on Saturday night in Bouches-du-Rhone, south of France.

Preliminary investigations said Sunday that arson is likely to be the cause, according to local media.

Although the local firefighters said the blaze has done little damage to the nearby neighborhood and has been under control, some 2,000 holidaymakers in the region were temporarily evacuated.

Water bombing resumed on Sunday morning before strong mistral is expected to build on Monday and Tuesday.

According to a local report, a burned-out car was found in the fire path, which is deemed as criminal traces causing the wild fire.

"Everything is moving towards a criminal trail," Patimo Colonel Gerard, a local official, was quoted by AFP as saying. "The fire is no longer in progress," he added.

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