Wildfire like 'volcano about to erupt,' say tourists fleeing French inferno

Thousands of tourists and locals are seeking refuge in a makeshift shelter in Bordeaux, France, after fleeing devastating wildfires in the country's southwest. The blazes have forced tens of thousands to evacuate, cutting short holidays and leaving many anxious about the fate of their homes.

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Never, never, never, never, never, and I've travelled all over the world and been in all sorts of situations. It's an experience, you know, I would be happy to do without it, but everybody's been very kind here, very good, so we have to be thankful.

Nuala Kelly, a 75-year-old Irish tourist, described the experience as unlike anything she had encountered in her extensive travels. "Never, never, never, never, never, and I've travelled all over the world and been in all sorts of situations," she told AFP. Despite the ordeal, she expressed gratitude for the kindness shown by those assisting at the evacuation center.

Olivier Stewart, 38, evacuated his family from Merignac after receiving an emergency alert. He noted the stress among his children, who feared their home would burn. Meanwhile, Frederic Tavitian, 70, recounted leaving his home after seeing "columns of smoke, like a volcano about to erupt." He described the traffic jams and constant noise as exhausting.

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The children are the most stressed. They think the fire is going to burn down the house, but we're coping.

Firefighters are working to contain the rapidly spreading blazes that have threatened areas like the Cap Ferret peninsula. The evacuation operations have been among the largest ever conducted in France. Locals have come forward to offer support, providing masks, food, and assistance to the displaced.

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At 3pm, we were told, 'You have to evacuate.' We saw columns of smoke, like a volcano about to erupt. So we left.