New footage has emerged from the moments following the explosion at a business in Aspropyrgos, Greece. The video captures the fire that broke out in the wake of the blast, as well as one of the burn victims making their way away from the business premises. As reported by Spyros Darsinos on parapolitika.gr, the tanker driver was arrested after admitting that the vehicle’s tank contained “1.5 to 2 tons of propane.” The owner of the auto repair shop was also arrested, having made the same admission.
Read more: Aspropyrgos: Two arrested over massive fire — charged with arson and explosion with possible intent
Aspropyrgos explosion: Official statement from the Greek police (ELAS)
The Arson Crimes Investigation Directorate (D.A.E.E.) mobilized immediately, with specialized officers deployed to the scene from the outset to investigate the cause of the fire that broke out on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 7:40 a.m., at a sole-proprietorship auto repair shop in the Aspropyrgos area of Attica.
As part of the preliminary investigation, D.A.E.E. officers conducted a thorough on-site inspection, collected evidence, and evaluated all findings in order to determine the circumstances under which the fire ignited and the subsequent explosion occurred. Based on evidence gathered so far, the incident appears to be linked to hot work operations involving an open flame, using an oxygen-acetylene cylinder system, which then spread to a propane tanker vehicle located on the business premises.
Under flagrant offence procedures, D.A.E.E. officers proceeded to arrest two Greek nationals — specifically the owner of the auto repair shop and the operator of the tanker vehicle in which the explosion occurred. The two suspects face charges of causing a fire and explosion with possible criminal intent. The case file will be submitted to the competent Prosecutorial Authority.
The D.A.E.E. continues the preliminary investigation under the supervision of the competent Prosecutorial Authority, examining all available evidence and data to fully establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Three burn victims in critical condition
As reported by Vasilis Venizelos on parapolitika.gr, three victims sustained serious burns and are fighting for their lives following the major fire in Aspropyrgos. The fire broke out just before 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 8, at the intersection of Megaridos and Chios streets. According to information obtained by parapolitika.gr, the condition of all three hospitalized burn victims is extremely concerning.
The first victim, a 41-year-old man, was transferred from Attikon Hospital to KAT Hospital with full-thickness burns covering 75% of his body and a suspected inhalation injury. He is being treated by the Specialized Plastic Surgery and Burns Clinic, and is set to undergo surgery before being transferred to the hospital’s ICU. His condition is described as extremely critical.
The second victim, a 54-year-old man in serious condition, has sustained full-thickness burns covering 90% of his body and will be transferred to the KAT ICU. The patient is severely hypothermic and in an extremely critical state. The third victim is also in a very critical condition and is being treated in the ICU of Genimatas Hospital. The current casualty toll stands at 11 injured.
