ATHENS – Additional reinforcements were sent to help put out a blaze that started in Feriza, in the southeast Attica municipality of Saronikos, on Friday. The forces battling the fire, which started in low-growing vegetation in an area near scattered dwellings, included 92 fire fighters, five ground teams, 22 fire engines, four aircraft and three helicopters, assisted by volunteers and local authority water tanker trucks.

In the meantime, a new message via the 112 emergency number has instructed people in Agios Panteleimonas in Anavyssos to evacuate the area and head toward Lagonissi due to the fire. A similar message for precautionary evacuation had earlier been sent to people in the Saronikos area.

An arson investigation team has also been ordered to head to the scene to investigate the cause of the fire, by order of the fire brigade chief.

The fire started at 11:00 on Friday, at a time when strong winds were blowing in the Feriza area, while the first 112 message was sent at 11:30.