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The flames are being bombarded from the air with water

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Firemen have been unable to save many buildings

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Dozens of homes and holiday villas are in ruins

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Others stand surrounded by acres of charred forest

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Even some pets were left behind as owners fled

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Clouds of smoke and firefighting planes are new features in the usual Provencal scenery

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The flames have been fanned by the first gusts of the "mistral" autumn winds

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Holidaymakers picked up a few possessions and escaped

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Thousands were left waiting anxiously in emergency centres...

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...but for some evacuees, it was just another night's sleep