A wildfire in southwest France grew so powerful that its towering smoke column became a thunderstorm, generating lightning that struck the ground and ignited new fires beyond the original blaze, French officials said

France fought an "unpredictable" wildfire close to Bordeaux on Sunday and Spain warned of "difficult hours" ahead in its own fiery battle, with more than 325,000 people evacuated…

An 'apocalyptic' wildfire bearing down on Bordeaux is so big it is generating its own thunderstorms, with 38C heat threatening to fan the flames of the terrifying blaze.