**Breaking News** Fire breaks out under Brevent lift

The fire which broke out in shrubbery directly under the lift line of the Brevent bubble is being brought under control with the fine skills of Chamonix Mont Blanc Helicopter pilot Pascal Brun, who has been doing heavy rotations with a water 'bomb' for the past two hours in an effort to control the 'forest fire'.

The rotor blades have been turning non-stop, as the helicopter plunges to scoop water from the Arve and flies swiftly up to the scene of the incident before releasing the water over the scorched and burning area.

Several fire appliances are in attendance at the base of the Brevent lift, keeping in constant radio contact with lift crews and the helicopter team. An incident vehicle has also been set up to take overall control of what is happening on the ground.

At the time of writing the Brevent bubble lift remains closed, but the top cable is still running. Walkers already up in the Brevent area are starting to walk down to Chamonix or walk across to La Flegere, where they can take the cable car down to Les Praz.

It seems there is no serious damage to the lift or cables and no injuries to report. Well done Pascal for dropping everything and letting his nice Sunday lunch go cold to head out and fight the fire!

12:00 Sunday : A fire has broken out underneath the Planpraz bubble lift at the Brevent area around midday today Sunday.

Smoke can be seen from Chamonix town centre and helicopters are flying around the scene to assess the situation. It looks like the hot, dry weather has caused a forest fire in the barren areas that have recently been deforested in between the lines of new and old lift just underneath the second pylon from the arrival station at Planpraz.

It looks like everyone has been evacuated from the lift and the bubbles on the line are being run in to the lift stations.

At the time of writing, the smoke seems to be spreading perilously close to the wooded areas with the wind blowing in the direction of La Flegere. Eye witness reports say it looks like the smoke is moving upwards too.

Chamonix Mont Blanc Helicopers are now on the scene dousing the flames with water.

More news as we get it.