One detained over suspected arson in Greece
A 25-year-old foreign national has been detained on suspicion of deliberately starting a fire in Lagonisi, near the Greek capital Athens.
According to Greek media reports, a fire broke out in an open area in Lagonisi during the morning, affecting about 50 square meters of dry grass.
Fire contained quickly
Firefighters brought the blaze under control before it could spread further.
An investigation by the fire service determined that the fire had allegedly been deliberately started using an open flame. Officers from the Eastern Attica Arson Investigation Unit detained the 25-year-old suspect.
The suspect is expected to be brought before a prosecutor on Tuesday.
Hundreds detained over fires
Between Jan. 1 and Sept. 20, 356 people were detained in Greece under the immediate arrest procedure in connection with fires.
Of those, 316 were accused of causing fires through negligence, while 40 were accused of deliberately starting fires.
Authorities also issued 807 administrative fines during the same period, with their total value exceeding €1.38 million.
Crete fire remains uncontrolled
Meanwhile, a wildfire in the Lasithi region of Crete remained out of control, with the blaze affecting a front of about 2 kilometers.
Greek media reported that the fire continued to burn around the settlement of Karydi and spread across a wider area due to strong winds.
Firefighters continued efforts to contain the flames and extinguish active fire fronts, with between 10 and 12 fire engines deployed in the area.
Evacuation warning issued
Residents and people in the area around Karydi were advised to evacuate toward Zakros as a precaution.
People living close to the fire were also urged through Greece’s 112 emergency alert system to remain prepared and follow instructions from authorities.
Winds of around force 5 on the Beaufort scale, along with stronger gusts at times, were hampering firefighting operations.
Aerial firefighting operations were suspended after nightfall, while ground crews were expected to continue working through the night.
The direction of the fire changed after the wind shifted, according to reports.
