A difficult night is expected for residents of the Keratea area, as well as firefighting forces, as efforts to extinguish the wildfire continue under strong winds and without aerial support until dawn. The fire that is burning in Keratea broke out around 2:00 PM on Friday (8/8).
According to information broadcast by SKAI, video footage has been recorded showing the point where the fire started, where an electricity pole with a severed cable can be seen. The material is already being examined by the relevant services, as it appears to show the beginning of the fire at that location. The suspicious spot is located approximately 500 meters from the brick house where an elderly man was found dead, trapped by the fire. The victim was 76 years old. According to neighbors’ testimonies, he had been living alone without electricity and water since 2007. Also according to reports, he had no contact with relatives and his daughter didn’t know he was living there alone.
Barrage of messages from 112 – Which settlements were evacuated
The fire front exceeded 7 kilometers, while houses have already been recorded as lost to the flames. The firefighters’ battle is titanic against the fiery storm. A barrage of messages sounded from 112 for the fire. The areas that have been evacuated are: Maliasteka, Agiasma, Harvalo, Drosia, Dimolaki, Synerina, Palaia Fokaia, ATE, Harakas, Legrena, Triantafyllia, Feriza, Olympos and Thymari.
Reinforced firefighting forces – Fire front moving toward Thymari
South of Keratea, toward Thymari, Triantafyllia and Palaia Fokaia, the flames are heading according to the most recent update. The Fire Service’s work is hampered by strong winds blowing in the area.
The fire service forces have been reinforced again and at this time operating on the kilometers-long front, which is spreading due to the strong winds, are 260 firefighters, with 10 ground teams from the 1st EMODE and 77 vehicles. From the air, 11 aircraft and 7 helicopters are operating, which however will be withdrawn and return at first light.
At the fire site, 12 ambulances are operating, including 2 mobile medical units and 2 rapid response vehicles. According to EKAB, depending on conditions, reinforcement of forces is planned for better management of the situation. Earlier, 9 elderly people were transported by EKAB ambulance to “Pammakaristos” hospital in good condition, and 5 more people, also elderly, to the “Alexander” hotel in Mavro Lithari.
Due to the fire there are traffic disruptions on: Provincial Road Keratea – Anavyssos, Lavrio Avenue from Vryoula height to L. Karamanli in Anavyssos, L. Plakas in Togani, L. Anavyssos from the provincial road to Feriza, L. Lavrio – Kamariza toward Synerina. Traffic regulations are also in place in areas where evacuation message 112 was issued.
Keratea fire: Coast Guard patrol and private boats on standby in Palaia Fokaia
In the wider area of Palaia Fokaia, where the Keratea fire is raging, three Coast Guard patrol boats have been put on standby, along with private boats, to assist in any rescue needs or transportation of citizens by sea.
Village evacuations and estimates of all-night firefighting battle in Ancient Olympia
The battle continues with the hellish fire in Ancient Olympia, as the large fire that broke out Friday afternoon (8/8) in the Chelidoni area, in an agricultural-forest area near the monastery of Panagia Sendouktiotissa, has still not been brought under control.
Patrisnews.gr reports that authorities have requested evacuation of Herakleia, as the fire from the Lantzoio front is moving toward the area and the first houses of the village. According to the same report, firebreaks are being created around the village in an attempt to halt the fire’s progress, which is raging uncontrolled.
In a message sent from 112 shortly before 10:00 PM it states: “Forest fire in the areas of Herakleia, Karoutes and Smila of the Regional Unit of Elis. If you are in the areas, move away toward Pyrgos. Follow the instructions of the Authorities.”
Livestock farmer injured with burns
It should be noted that a man suffered burns from the fire in Chelidoni of the Municipality of Ancient Olympia. According to information from patrisnews.com, he is one of the people who had been trapped in the village stadium and has burns on parts of his body. The same information states that he is a livestock farmer who was trapped while trying to save his animals.
An EKAB ambulance was called to the scene and transported the burn victim to Pyrgos hospital, where he received first aid.
Strong firefighting forces on standby all night
Strong ground forces from the fire service continue to operate in the area, battling the flames under adverse weather conditions due to winds. Estimates indicate the battle will last all night.
In fact, the Fire Service proceeded to reinforce the forces operating on the fire front in Chelidoni, Elis. Now, 105 firefighters with four ground teams and 34 vehicles are participating in the extinguishing efforts. Until sunset, 9 firefighting aircraft and 4 helicopters assisted from the air. Local Government Organizations have made available to the firefighting forces construction machinery and water-carrying vehicles.
The area is full of olive groves that have suffered damage, and it had also burned in 2021.
“The fire threatens four villages”
The situation in Ancient Olympia remains extremely critical, with the fire dangerously approaching four settlements of the Municipality. As described by Deputy Mayor Giorgos Linardos, the fire is alongside the villages, but has not yet invaded them. The continuous change in wind direction makes the extinguishing efforts very difficult, especially at night when aerial means are withdrawn.
Ancient Olympia: Man arrested for taking fire truck to fight fire
A man was arrested for taking a fire truck to go to the point where the fire broke out in the Chelidoni area of Ancient Olympia. According to ilialive.gr, the citizen appears to have proceeded with an extreme and dangerous action, removing a fire truck from its crew. The man reportedly boarded the vehicle to extinguish the fire himself, ignoring the serious danger of this move.
With the immediate intervention of Fire Service investigative officers, the man was arrested and then taken to the Pyrgos Police Station, where he is being held.
