A forest fire in the south of France has uncovered a cache of approximately 400 historic shells and munitions in the village of Le Porge, according to local authorities.
Local fire commander told local media that the blasts, initially mistaken for exploding gas cylinders, were likely World War II explosives detonated by the heat of the fires. Over 100 explosions were reported on the second night of the fire, with the mayor of Le Porge, Martial Zaninetti, describing the sound as akin to "the sound of war" to France Info.
Demining operations have since allowed most residents to return to their homes, though the mayor has stated that certain areas remain off-limits. The wildfire destroyed more than 180 houses in the affected region. "There were ammunition depots buried in land within our municipality, but we didn't know it, and they exploded," Zaninetti told France Info, adding that some munitions "went to the right, to the left" and one even "went through a house."
