Tragic scenes unfolded on Saturday morning (14/11) in Zefyri, during a firefighting operation at an abandoned building in the municipality of Fylis. Two firefighters from Athens’ 10th Fire Station lost their lives when part of the building they were operating in collapsed. The two men, aged 23 and 40, were initially pulled out unconscious, with later reports confirming their deaths. A third firefighter from the same team was also injured in the incident.
Read also: Tragedy in Zefyri: Two firefighters dead, one injured — building collapses during firefighting operation (Images & Video)
Zefyri fire: Two firefighters killed in building collapse — a timeline of events
It all began at approximately 11:40 a.m., when the Fire Service Operations Center was notified of a fire that had broken out in an abandoned building on Katsantoni Street, in the municipality of Fylis. Twenty firefighters were dispatched to the scene with six vehicles from Athens’ 10th, 6th, and 12th Fire Stations, along with units from the 1st EMAK (Special Disaster Response Unit).
An alarm was then raised during the firefighting operation for the rescue of firefighters who had become trapped inside the abandoned building after part of it collapsed.
According to parapolitika.gr’s reporting, the two firefighters — aged 23 and 40 — were pulled out lifeless and transported by ambulance to Attiko Hospital. At the same time, reports indicate that a third firefighter was rescued with minor injuries and taken in stable condition to the 251 General Military Hospital.
What authorities are investigating
Authorities are examining whether the two men died from asphyxiation due to smoke and the conditions inside the burning building, or whether they were crushed by collapsing structural materials.
The cause of the fire, as well as the circumstances that led to the partial collapse of the building, remain under investigation. The Athens Arson Crimes Investigation Unit has been mobilized for this purpose, and critical findings are also expected to emerge from the investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two firefighters.
Zefyri: “We saw smoke, heard sirens and ambulances arrived,” says local resident
A local resident described the dramatic moments that unfolded during the fire that broke out in a building on Katsantoni Street in Zefyri, where two firefighters lost their lives. “Around 11:30 we heard sirens. We went outside and saw fire in an abandoned building. The firefighters arrived, then we saw police forces coming, ambulances — apparently something happened to some of the firefighters inside. We don’t know the details because they didn’t let us get close. We hope the guys are okay. We didn’t see a very big fire. We saw smoke. It used to be an aluminum workshop — they made aluminum doors and windows,” he said.
Fire Service flags flown at half-mast in honor of the two fallen firefighters
The Hellenic Fire Service expressed its deep sorrow over the incident and extended sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the two firefighters in an official statement. “Today is an exceptionally difficult day for the Fire Service. Two more of our members have been lost while fighting a fire that broke out in a building on Katsantoni Street, in the area of Fylis, Attica. The two firefighters fell heroically in the line of duty, faithful to their calling to protect the lives and property of citizens, as well as the natural environment. The entire leadership of the Fire Service expresses its profound grief and sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of our departed colleagues. A sworn administrative inquiry will be conducted into the causes and circumstances of the accident. By order of the Fire Service Chief, all flags at our stations will be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning. Our thoughts are with them.”
The Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Evangelos Tournas, also issued a statement regarding the tragic incident, extending his condolences to the families of the two men and wishing a swift recovery to the injured firefighter. “Today, the Fire Service family mourns two of its own, who lost their lives in the line of duty. My thoughts are with their families and loved ones. I extend to them my deepest and most heartfelt condolences. To their colleague who has been taken to hospital, I wish a swift and full recovery,” the minister said.
