"A real disaster": the mayor of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse describes the advance of the fire in the Aude

A violent fire has broken out in the Aude department and is moving toward the neighboring town of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse. The town's mayor, Xavier de Volontat, told BFMTV that he was facing "a real catastrophe."

"The fire arrived at a fantastic speed and surrounded the village (...) We were forced to evacuate several neighborhoods," explained the mayor of this town of 800 inhabitants.

According to the mayor, "several neighborhoods" have been evacuated. Those who fled the area were taken into a shelter in the city.

"At first, there was smoke and it surrounded the village with flames leaping out in all directions," said Xavier de Volontat.

The mayor fears that the fire could impact the village's main crop: vines. "I'm thinking of the winegrowers who are suffering a very serious hazard, as well as the entire population," the elected official said sadly.

To help the city prepare for the ongoing fire, the municipality has deployed advisors to "alert people" and "get them out of their homes." According to the mayor, the extent of the damage and the number of burned homes are still unknown.

The fire raging in the Aude department has already covered 4,500 hectares, according to the civil security service. Some 1,250 firefighters are currently deployed, including nine Canadairs, five Dash aircraft, and two water-bombing helicopters.

The fire is developing "very quickly" and is "unfavorably," the prefecture added, asking "people to stay indoors unless ordered to evacuate by the fire brigade."