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Fire burns 60 hectares around Carcassonne airport
Blaze happened during air show taking place on site
A fire near Carcassonne airport burned for nearly four hours on Sunday before firefighters managed to bring it under control with the help of several anti-fire aircraft.
The blaze, which started during an air show being held at the airport, began around 15:00.
Around 120 firefighters tackled the fire alongside 23 fire engines and six anti-fire aircraft, including a helicopter, a Dash 8, and Canadair craft dropping water from above.
Despite the quick response, the fire burned around 60 hectares before it was declared under control (fixé).
The airport’s schedule has not been affected by the fire, and the four routes scheduled today to and from Dublin, London Stansted, East Midlands, and Tangiers, are all currently running as planned.
Fireworks from air show
The fire reportedly began following an incident during an air show taking place at the airport over the weekend.
A reporter at the scene for media outlet Actu said the blaze flared up soon after a show from an Italian aerobatics team
The team launched ‘small fireworks’ from the participating aircraft as part of their display, which may have sparked a blaze on dry vegetation.
The fire began in the airport grounds before spreading outwards to surrounding areas.
No one was injured by the fire, and it did not damage any airport structures nor nearby homes.
A video of the smoke from the fire passing over the airport can be seen here.
