Massive wildfires blew seats in the coastal towns of Paleia Focaia and Timari, 40 km (25 miles) southeast of Athens, destroying homes and forcing evacuation as they approached the beach.
As Greece experienced the first heat wave of the summer, the flames erupted with low vegetation, but quickly spread to residential areas.
Local officials say at least 20 homes have been destroyed and many others have suffered structural damage.
Strong winds and rising prices up to 40°C have made fire control extremely difficult.
Local residents joined firefighters, forest rangers and aircraft to try to contain the fire and protect the home. Coast Guards were also deployed along the coastline.
The emergency warning was issued through the 112 system, urging residents to evacuate a series of towns and villages.
Greece has sought to strengthen its response to wildfires. Wildfires are becoming increasingly common due to their long, hot summers and warming climates.
Another 18,000 firefighters, backed up by volunteers, have been deployed this year for the remaining fire season, which will end in October, officials say.
Thousands of hectares were torched earlier this week on Chios, Greece’s fifth largest island. The Georgian woman was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of unintentionally starting to set fires by dropping a cigarette.
One Timari resident told Greek website Kathimerini on Thursday that she had been burning out due to strong winds by the time she got home. Another said that his neighbor’s house had been destroyed, but he was even more fortunate.
We moved along the coast further east towards Cape Zornion, across the coastal road at the tip of the Attica Peninsula, towards the nearby hill ridge.
Authorities said more than 1,000 people have been evacuated from affected areas. According to the local government, 11 tourists were rescued from the beach after being trapped in a moving forward flame.
Despite the evacuation order, some residents refused to leave and tried to protect the home using garden hoses and other improvised means. Authorities warned that such actions risked lives and interfered with emergency services.
At least 40 people, including children and elderly people, were rescued by police after being trapped, according to Greek broadcaster ERT.
Firefighter spokesman vasileios vathrakogiannis said firefighters are engaged in fierce battles on the ground, particularly in areas where fires are burning near their homes.
Local officials in Timari’s inland village described the situation as extremely difficult.
“All the municipality facilities were open to anyone who needed shelter and medical assistance,” local deputy mayor Bavis Galanis told ERT.
The Greek firefighter head ordered a special arson investigation unit at the scene to determine whether the fire was intentionally set up.
A report from the Greek Risk Assessment Committee found that very high temperatures are expected on Friday, with the risk of wildfires in Attica, Evia, Peloponneso and Northern Aegeans being very high.
