Georgia Toffolo and husband James Watt narrowly avoid wildfire evacuation by fleeing Cap Ferret holiday

As Georgia Toffolo, the 31-year-old Made in Chelsea star, sat in Iceland with her husband, James Watt, 44, she couldn't help but reflect on their harrowing escape from the Cap Ferret wildfire in southwestern France. The couple had been on a family holiday with James' kids when the apocalyptic flames broke out, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes.

Georgia took to her Instagram Story to recount their narrow escape, telling her followers how they had slept at the airport overnight after fleeing the chaotic scene in Cap Ferret. The couple had initially planned to spend a week in the French seaside resort, but their plans were cut short when they realised the situation was spiralling out of control. Georgia explained that they had been enjoying a relaxing lunch with friends on Thursday, but their friends' input had changed their minds. "We obviously knew about the fire, but at that point, it was quite far away, and our friends were like, God, it's really getting bad," she recalled.

It was James who first raised concerns about the situation, Georgia revealed. With four children in tow, he felt uneasy about their safety, and they decided to pack up and leave. "He was just like, I don't like it," Georgia said, recalling James' words. As they prepared to leave, they could smell the acrid scent of smoke and ash falling from the sky. The children, oblivious to the danger, were the last to leave their home in Cap Ferret.

The wildfires that ravaged southwestern France and central Spain have left a trail of destruction, with over 250,000 people displaced in the two countries. Spain has declared a national emergency, and tourist spot Cap Ferret was evacuated in its entirety, with hundreds of holidaymakers escaping by boat. Firefighters are still battling the blazes, with 10,000 hectares of land consumed by the flames. Foreign Minister Éléonore Caroit described the situation as a tragedy.

Georgia's account of their escape serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of the wildfires. As they fled by air, they slept at the airport overnight, grateful to have made it out alive. In a later post, Georgia expressed her gratitude, saying: "I just wanted to explain. I'm just so praying that everyone is OK."

• Over 250,000 people displaced in southwestern France and central Spain
• 10,000 hectares of land consumed by the wildfires
• Spain has declared a national emergency
• Thousands of people evacuated from their homes in Cap Ferret

As a writer, I am struck by the speed at which the situation unfolded. One moment, the Toffolo-Watt family was enjoying a relaxing holiday in Cap Ferret; the next, they were fleeing for their lives. Their account serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of being prepared for the unexpected.

The wildfires that ravaged southwestern France and central Spain have left a trail of destruction, and it's only a matter of time before we see the full extent of the damage. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the Toffolo-Watt family's narrow escape from the Cap Ferret wildfire is evidence of the unpredictable nature of life.