Firefighters work to put out a fire in Biguglia, on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica, on July 24, 2017. AFP/Pascal Pochard-Casabianca

 

BASTIA: Dozens of firefighters were battling a blaze on the French island of Corsica on Monday that has spread across 900 hectares of forest and was threatening homes, emergency services said.

Residents were evacuated from homes at the edge of the town of Biguglia, on the island's northeastern coast.

"The fire is very fierce and heading to urban areas of Biguglia," lieutenant-colonel Michel Bernier, of Corsica's civil defence forces, told AFP.

"We are awaiting reinforcements," said regional deputy fire chief Jean-Jacques Peraldi, adding that around 150 people were battling the blaze aided by more than a dozen fire engines.

Local official Gerard Gavory said that three firefighting planes were also involved, and "have been surveying the area to make sure no homes are affected".

Another fire on the south of the island, which destroyed 110 hectares around the town of Aleria, was brought under control on Monday, Bernier said.