Fire It occurred around 3 a.m. at the building that houses the radio station Real FM 97.8 and the newspaper Real News at the intersection of Kifissias Avenue and Parnassou Street in Marousi.
According to the Fire Department, the fire originated on the 3rd floor, where serious damage occurred, while a female employee who was in the building was rescued by firefighters from the stairwell and transported to a hospital with breathing difficulties, in order to provide her with first aid as a precaution.
According to initial reports, the remains of portable gas burners were found in the building, and the owner, Nikos Hatzinikau, has also suggested on Twitter that it was arson.
The fire was brought under control about two hours later by 18 firefighters who arrived at the scene with six vehicles.
Remains of a makeshift device were found
Remnants of a makeshift device—specifically, three small gas canisters wrapped in tape—have so far been found by the Fire Department’s investigative unit at the Real FM building in Marousi, wherea fire broke out in the early morning hours, causing significant damage.
The device was found in an exterior stairwell of the building between the ground floor and the first floor. It should be noted that the ground floor of the building is vacant; the first and second floors house the offices of Real FM & Real News, while the third floor houses the offices of a shipping company.
Extensive damage has been caused on the third floor, but there is also significant damage on the other two floors. The employee who was rescued from the building was on the first floor, where the radio station’s offices are located. A team from the Hellenic Police’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (TEEM) is expected to arrive shortly to search the premises and determine whether there are any other explosive devices, in addition to the one that has already been located.
The State Security Service will likely take over the preliminary investigation into the case.
Kostas Tomaras
