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Athens fire under control
16/07/2007 22:22 - (SA)
Athens - Thousands of residents and firefighters on Monday managed to contain a forest fire that threatened to engulf homes and one of the last remaining forests in Athens.
Huge clouds of black smoke enveloped much of central Athens and traffic was backed up for kilometres as a major strip of highway on the outskirts of the Greek capital was forced to close.
Residents could be seen fleeing as flames came within metres of their houses and apartment buildings and officials evacuated a children's orphanage.
Using shovels, buckets and brooms, residents from the suburbs of Karea, Virona, Kaisariani and Hlioupoli worked side-by-side with more than 150 firefighters to battle the flames along with six planes and three helicopters.
High temperatures and strong winds
The fire, which broke out in the middle of the afternoon, was fanned by strong winds and high temperatures.
Officials said they suspected the fire, which spread quickly, was probably due to arson.
Forest fires were also partially contained on the islands of Evia and Kos as well as the mainland city of Pyryos.
Dry weather conditions, high temperatures and strong winds have fuelled dozens of fires in the past month, destroying thousands of hectares of forests and private homes.
The last fire that came dangerously close to Athens burned out of control for six days, destroying thousands of hectares of pine forest in the nature reserve on Mount Parnitha.
- SAPA
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