World War II Bombs Explode as Raging Wildfires Tear Through France

A massive wildfire raging across southern France has taken a terrifying turn as long-forgotten World War II ammunition buried beneath the ground began exploding in the intense heat.

More than 100 powerful blasts were heard near the village of Le Porge as flames swept through the region following a series of punishing heatwaves.

Local officials believe the fire ignited hidden mortar rounds, anti-tank shells and other military explosives that had remained undiscovered underground for decades. The ammunition, believed to be of both French and German origin, may have helped spread the already devastating blaze.

Le Porge Mayor Martial Zaninetti said the explosions erupted during the second night of the wildfire and sounded like the community had suddenly been plunged back into battle.

“It was the sound of war,” Zaninetti told local media.

“There were ammunition depots buried in the land within our municipality, but we didn’t know it, and they exploded,” he added.

The discovery has raised serious questions about how many dangerous wartime explosives may still be hidden beneath populated areas across Europe without the knowledge of local authorities.

More than 180 homes have reportedly been destroyed, while several areas remain sealed off because of the ongoing danger.

The Le Porge wildfire has scorched more than 104,000 acres since it erupted last week, leaving a trail of destruction across the region.

The crisis is part of a broader wildfire emergency gripping France and neighboring Spain, where hundreds of thousands of residents have been forced to flee their homes.

For terrified families already battling walls of fire, the sudden explosions added another horrifying threat — bombs buried generations ago, finally detonating beneath their feet.