In Croatia, a forest fire broke out near the tourist city of Dubrovnik on Monday evening. The fire spread rapidly due to a strong southerly wind. “We were awakened this morning by the sound of firefighting planes flying very low over our hotel. They scooped up water to fight the fire in the mountains,” says Flemish Michel Nijs.
The 42-year-old man from Eeklo is on holiday in Dubrovnik with his wife, two children and in-laws. “Apparently a fire broke out on Monday evening, but firefighting aircraft could not be deployed to fight the fire in the dark.”
“I saw plumes of smoke and flames this morning, fortunately still quite high in the mountains. As the fire got closer, I feared for a moment that we couldn’t stay here any longer.” The road to the airport was closed, but firefighters have since brought the fire under control. “I intend to stay”, Michel concludes on the phone.