A World War II munitions depot detonated amid a large forest fire near Le Porge on France's Atlantic coast, producing more than 100 explosions that officials described as like "the noise of war." Residents had been evacuated before the blasts. Explosive ordnance disposal teams inspected the site and will return for further clearance. A homeowner later found a grenade on a bedroom floor that had been propelled through a shutter and window without detonating.
Forgotten WWII Munitions Depot Blows Up Amid Major Atlantic Coast Wildfire in France
A view of a burned-down house and charred shrubs near Le Porge, as forest fires continue to rage not far from the town. (is associated with: «Depot containing old munitions explodes during forest fire in France») Katharina Kausche/dpa
A forgotten Second World War munitions depot detonated as a large forest fire swept along France's Atlantic coast, producing dozens of loud blasts that local officials likened to "the noise of war." The explosions occurred on private land near the village of Le Porge during the second night of the blaze.
What Officials Reported
"In our municipality, there were—unbeknownst to us—ammunition depots buried on private land that have exploded,"—Martial Zaninetti, mayor of Le Porge, told broadcaster France Info.
As flames more than ten metres high threatened homes, a series of detonations rang out. The regional newspaper Ouest-France said the blasts likely came from a cache of German ammunition, which is still commonly found in the coastal dunes and woods.
Local authorities estimated that more than a hundred explosions could be heard. The mayor described grenades bursting on the ground and others being hurled through the air; one reportedly flew through a house. Residents had been evacuated from the area before the explosions occurred.
Aftermath and Safety Measures
Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialists inspected the site and plan to return for further clearance operations in the coming days. In one near-miss, a homeowner who briefly checked his property later found a grenade on his bedroom floor that had smashed through a shutter and window pane but did not detonate.
Discoveries of German munitions are not unusual along this stretch of coast. During the German occupation, troops built bunkers, command posts and ammunition depots in dunes and forests; many were abandoned when the Wehrmacht retreated in 1944, sometimes leaving behind live ordnance.
Context
Authorities continue to warn residents and visitors in affected areas to follow evacuation orders and avoid returning to properties until EOD teams declare them safe. The incident highlights the dual hazard of wildfires and unexploded wartime ordnance in parts of western France.
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