Around 700 people have been
evacuated from their homes after a huge wild fire destroyed
hundreds of hectares of forest on Monte Serra, in the province
of Pisa.
Arson is suspected to be the cause.
Strong gusts of wind that frequently change direction have
made fighting the fire even more difficult.
Canadair aircraft are being used as part of the effort to
combat the blaze.
"The firefighters were our angels," said Paola, one of the
evacuees who spent the night at a reception centre set up inside
a gym in the town of Calci.
"It was an apocalyptic scene and luckily they brought us here
to safety.
"I hope this fire was caused by carelessness because I can't
imagine anyone would be so bad, would have such a perverse mind
(to start it deliberately).
"There are whole olive groves that have been destroyed and
huge damage. I fear homes have gone too".
Tuscany Governor Enrico Rossi said that around 600 hectares
of land have gone up in smoke, according to initial estimates.
Rossi spoke to journalists along with Calci Mayor
Massimiliano Ghimenti after they met people evacuated from their
homes.
They said the evacuees will not be able to return to their
homes until Wednesday afternoon because of the smoke and the
need to keep the area clear for firefighting operations.
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