ATHENS – A fire broke out on Saturday afternoon in a stand of woods along the Egaleo bypass, near NATO Avenue, but posed no threat to inhabited areas. A strong fire-fighting force of 35 fire-fighters, 15 vehicles and teams on foot sped to the area to put out the blaze, assisted by two helicopters.

Police have closed the bypass, diverting traffic to the junction with NATO Avenue and the Athens-Corinth national road near the refineries.

Two fire-fighters were lightly injured when their vehicle overturned on NATO Avenue, as they were driving toward the fire, and were taken to hospital as a precaution.