Wildfire in central Greece burns over 6,500 hectares; two people arrested
Blaze that began Friday in Boeotia spread into Attica; probe points to faults in private wind‑turbine transmission network
A large wildfire that ignited on Friday morning in Boeotia (central Greece) has spread into neighbouring Attica and has burned more than 6,500 hectares, the Meteo service of the National Observatory of Athens reported.
The fire has now entered its third day without being brought under control. Authorities say the blaze has multiple active fronts and has destroyed houses; the full extent of property and ecological damage remains to be assessed.
Firefighting efforts involve 496 firefighters and 134 vehicles, including 23 firefighters with four vehicles from France and 23 firefighters with four vehicles from Romania, who have been in Greece since early summer under the European Civil Protection Mechanism.
Investigation and arrests
Following a probe by the Directorate for the Investigation of Criminal Acts Related to Arson at the Hellenic Fire Service, two people were arrested in connection with the Boeotia–Attica blaze. A specialised inspection at the fire’s ignition site concluded that oscillation occurred on a private transmission line that carries electricity from wind turbines to the main grid; the conductors produced sparks that fell to the ground and ignited the fire, which then spread from Boeotia toward Attica.
The investigation focused on those responsible for the design, construction, supervision and proper operation of the specific transmission network. Authorities arrested the electrical engineer who signed the project documentation and supervised the work, and the contractor in charge of building the transmission line.
Satellite images processed by the National Observatory’s meteorological service showed that, as of yesterday at midday, roughly 3,000 hectares were burned in the Boeotia blaze, while the fire at Porto Germeno in Attica affected about 3,570 hectares. Separately, a new fire broke out shortly after midnight in the southeastern part of the island of Kefalonia; emergency alerts via the 112 number ordered evacuations of several nearby villages.
Photo: press material from the event
