Paris, July 14 (RHC)-- Thousands of vacationers have been evacuated in southern France, where a raging fire threatened to sweep through several campsites.  Local authorities in the Pyrenees-Orientales region said that they evacuated some 3,000 French and other European holidaymakers from their campsites in Torreilles on Wednesday afternoon, fearing that the strong winds would spread the fire to where the tourists were staying.

The fire, ignited by unknown causes, has already destroyed at least 22 bungalows and burned down some tents in the area.  No one has been reported to be injured in the incident, but one firefighter was killed when he lost control of his vehicle when battling the blaze.

A further 17 firefighters suffered from smoke inhalation and two others were injured when a gas canister belonging to a camper exploded as they were trying to contain the flames.