Fiery inferno in Attica

Firefighters and Lavrio residents gave an all-night battle due to yesterday’s fire, which is still going without an active front but with continuous flare-ups.

The fire in Keratea is still ongoing, with constant flare-ups due to the strong wind.

As it became known by the Fire Department, with the first light of day 4 planes, 1 helicopter and 15 vehicles from the province came to help the 250 firefighters with 60 vehicles and the unit of 75 dismounted people from Attica who remain at the front.

2 Canadair are also expected from Italy, as well as assistance from France and Croatia.

The fight against the fire in Thymari, Palaia Fokaia, and Legrena is still ongoing, and the settlements in Aghios Konstantinos and Thymari are in danger. The fire in Megai Spilia, Neapoli Lakonias, is still raging while the fronts in Kato Souli, Marathonas, Penteli and Kalamos, Monemvasia and Pylos are in abatement.

The front in Kythnos is still ongoing, with 10 fire fighters from Attica arriving in the morning to aid the 15 citizens, the 1 seasonal fire fighter and the water carrying vehicle of the municipality.

5 small fires started due to human negligence in Crete yesterday, when people attempted to burn dried grass. The fires were small but authorities are cautioning people, especially during the days that favor the outbreak of fires.

Today, Sunday Crete, is on the 3rd scale for danger of fire, which is quite high.

According to information, 5 fighters have minor injuries and have been taken to the 401 military hospital for precautionary reasons at .

Today, the 4 workers that were arrested in Keratea will be taken to the prosecutor to face charges of arson by negligence since the fire started from sparks that they caused during construction work. The Sounio highway is open now.

The fire in Keratea started in Drosia and expanded to the settlements of Aghiasmos, Katafygi, Palea Fokaia, Legrena and Thymari.

For precautionary reasons the nursing home in In Palaia Fokaia was evacuated, while people in Synterina left their homes, some of which were severely damaged. So far at least one house in Katafygi has been completely burned down. Late night information spoke of burning houses in Synterina, Metochi, Megala Peyka and Mouses.

At the same moment fires erupted in Attica at Drafi-Palini, Kato Souli-Marathonas and Aghioi Apostoloi-Kalamos. The last three are being controlled while the one in Keratea is still in progress.

Fires broke out in Kefalovryso, Patra, which is under control, in Megali Spilia, Monemvasia, and in Tryvlakas, Kythonos, which is still ongoing.

A Palaia Fokaia resident told protothema.gr "we are watching a horror movie and the Fire Department cannot function. Since 4 pm a whole mountain has been on fire with only one helicopter at the spot. Houses have already burned downand we are looking at 3.5-m flames spread over a 5-kilometre front with only civilians in their private cars attempting to do something."

In Triantafilliza an old car lot burned down while in Kamariza houses have caught fire. In Pallini the “Dodoni” and “Pallini Vinery” factories were burned. For precautionary reasons the nursing home in Fokea was evacuated, while there are also reports for problems in electricity due to the fire.

A fire erupted in Kato Souli, Marathonas, as well with 18 fire fighters, 6 vehicles, 3 airplanes and a helicopter on the front.

The danger of fire is very high today too

The authorities are warning for very high fire danger (category 4) today, Sunday, as well.

The following areas are on increased alert:

-    central, western, north and southern sectors of Athens, eastern and western Attica, Piraeus and the surrounding islands
-    Lesvos, Chios, Samos and Ikaria
-    Viotia, Fthiotida, Skyros, Evia
-    Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Syros, Kea, Kythnos, Mylos, Naxos, Paros and Thira
-    Argolida, Korinthia, Lakonia

The FD is calling on all citizens to be very careful, not light fires in the countryside,not carry out dangerous work and keep to the rules for fire prevention, since today winds are expected to increase.

In case of fire, citizens are advised to call the FD on 199.