A major fire that burned near Athens for nearly three days has finally been extinguished. Firefighters continue to patrol the area to prevent any remaining embers from reigniting.
As the flames subside, attention is shifting to the cause of the fire and potential responsibility.
According to the daily newspaper Kathimerini and Kurier, a local resident reported seeing a power cable support on a pole break, which may have triggered the blaze. Experts have since inspected the site and collected materials for examination.
The speed at which the fire spread took many locals by surprise.
"It was like an atom bomb," a resident told the newspaper.
Reactions to the firefighting response have been mixed.
Some residents criticized the fire department, saying they didn’t see planes or helicopters arrive quickly enough. Others, however, praised how fast the fire was contained, even though it burned around 100 square kilometers.
Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias stated that the first firefighting helicopter arrived just four minutes after the fire started.
This claim is supported by drone footage from the fire service, which has been shown in Greek media and posted by the minister on the X platform.
Strong winds on the first day made it difficult for emergency services to control the fire immediately.
There are still questions surrounding the sole fatality from the fire, a woman who was unable to escape from the garden center where she worked. While other employees managed to flee, with some even jumping from a balcony, the woman is believed to have succumbed to smoke inhalation and lost consciousness before she could escape.
Many agree that it was a miracle there were not more casualties.
Authorities evacuated 45 towns and districts early on, which likely prevented a higher death toll.
In response to the fire, the Greek government has announced a first aid package totaling 4.5 million euros to assist those affected. Residents who lost homes, businesses, or farms will soon be able to apply for financial assistance online.
While the fire burned for less than three days, it is clear that recovery and reforestation efforts will take much longer.
