Villagers flee massive WILDFIRE after huge winds cause blaze to spread overnight
FIREFIGHTERS battled to contain a wildfire just 30 miles from Athens today after high winds had seen the blaze spread overnight.
Firefighters battle to control wildfire near Athens
The fire broke out in Kalamos, a coastal area north east of the Greek capital, and spread to nearby town Varnavas.
More than 160 firefighters battled the blaze, aided by dozens of fire engines, planes and helicopters.
Firefighters battled to contain a wildfire just 30 miles from Athens today
The fire has already damaged dozens of homes.
“There is a lot of water consumption as people hose down their homes – and as a result not enough water,” said Nikos Filippou, viceprefect of the Greek region of eastern Attica.
The fire broke out in Kalamos, a coastal area north east of the Greek capital
It was a mess. Homes on fire, people running, people desperate
The fire service said no injuries had been reported but at least a dozen houses were heavily damaged as the blaze engulfed areas of pine forest, producing thick, black smoke.
Hundreds of residents fled Kalamos and headed for the beach. One villager said: “It was a mess. Homes on fire, people running, people desperate.”
Summer wildfires are common in Greece.
More than 160 firefighters battled the blaze
More than 70 people died in 2007 during the worst fires in decades.
Meanwhile, just last week dramatic pictures emerged showing huge fires ripping through forests in Ibiza.