STRONG winds battered the Dordogne throughout Sunday and Monday causing extensive damage to buildings, power cuts as well as sparking a fire in local woodland.
Winds of up to 90km/h blew across the département, with an electricity cable torn from a pylon close to Mazeyrolles causing 15 hectares of woodland to catch fire.
Around 70 pompiers were called to the scene to ensure the fire did not spread as it was whipped up by the strong winds and after a dry winter much of the woodland in the area could easily catch light.
Elsewhere many people reported missing roof tiles and fallen trees, while an old tobacco séchoir in Loubejac was severely damaged as the side walls gave way due to the strength of the wind.