Authorities have identified the beekeeper suspected of causing the wildfire that broke out on Thursday afternoon, June 4, at Veiko Grove. Video evidence released by ERT shows a man, believed to be responsible for the incident, leaving the beehive area shortly after the fire started. The wildfire began just before noon in an area with dry grass, and due to strong winds quickly spread to large proportions. According to eyewitness accounts recorded by ERT, the bee owner was at the location with one or two other people and was using a smoker to handle the bees. However, flames caught the dry grass near the beehives, spread instantly and moved toward the Filothei area.
Read: Fire near Veiko Grove: Started from beehives, beekeepers who fled being sought (Images & Video)
Veiko Grove wildfire: Beekeeper identified, fire department drone captured moment blaze erupted
According to ERT, the 46-year-old man left the area when fire department forces managed to contain the blaze. An Arson Crimes Unit team arrived at Veiko Grove and located the exact spot where the fire started, right next to the beehives. They immediately began searching for beekeepers in the area. Using the registry number of the beehives, authorities identified their owner, who lives in eastern Attica. Although they tried to contact him, he wasn’t answering his phone. A fire department drone captured the moment the wildfire erupted, transmitting live footage to the operational center in Maroussi. This triggered an immediate alarm, as the fire broke out close to residential homes in the area. The wildfire was brought under control within just half an hour, thanks to the immediate and coordinated response by fire department forces both on land and from the air.
