VIDEO. Near Nice, a fire blocks traffic: “It’s burning on the highway”

A major vegetation fire broke out along the A8 motorway, in Cagnes-sur-Mer, near Nice (Alpes-Maritimes), this Tuesday, July 25, 2023.

Firefighters are fighting the spread of fire in this Urbanwhile the motorway and the circulation of SNCF trains are completely blocked.

Major fire on the edge of town

During the afternoon, around 3:30 p.m., a fire broke out in the vegetation, near the avenue de Cannes, on the N7, at the Moulin du Loup, opposite the racecourse.

This wildfire in an urban area caused significant plumes of smoke, indicates the departmental fire and rescue service of the Alpes-Maritimes. Some motorists filmed the scene, also noticing burning branches on the freeway.

To combat its spread, around 80 firefighters and a water bomber helicopter have been deployed. The helicopter carried out more than ten drops.

Movement of vehicles and trains disrupted

The towns of Cagnes-sur-Mer and Villeneuve-Loubet recommend users not to take the N7 between the two towns. “Traffic is blocked from the Rives roundabout,” they point out.

Traffic on the highway is strongly disturbed. It takes about thirty minutes to connect Antibes to Nice. The entries in the direction of Aix have been cut to facilitate the work of the firefighters.

SNCF traffic is interrupted in both directions, between Antibes and Nice.