A raging wildfire in southwest France forced the evacuation of 55,000 people overnight Sunday, bringing the total forced out of their homes to a staggering 220,000 in one region alone as flames crept ever closer to the wine region city of Bordeaux.

Fires near Bordeaux have scorched 3,400 hectares as hundreds battle the blaze.

About 800 firefighters and hundreds of gendarmes and soldiers deployed to battle the flames west of Bordeaux.

Officials have described it as the ‘worst fire in the history of the region’

More than 50,000 additional people have been ordered to leave villages around Bordeaux