According to the Fire Brigade, the fire in Ano Glyfada, which started from the end of Metsovo Street and burns an area with holly and dry grass at the foot of Ymittos, is taking on worrying dimensions. ‘The situation remains difficult and we are trying to control it,« the mayor of Varis-Voulas-Vouliagmeni told APE-MPA.
A short while ago, a recommendation was made by the head of the fire brigade, Major General Panagiotis Niafas, to remove residents from Aristideou Street in Voula, where the front of the fire is directed. A school opened in Voula to accommodate the residents of Panorama
According to the latest update, winds in the area are blowing up to 8 Beaufort and the fire is expanding towards Panorama of Voula, where there is a struggle to stop its course before it reaches the forest there, while new reinforcements are expected in ground and air means. Second fire in Ymittos - Damage to houses in Voula - Reinforcements are coming from Peloponnese and Central Greece
As known by the Fire Brigade, so far it has not reached the houses, but the recommendation was made to evacuate residents to avoid endangering people, as the fire is moving threateningly. Traffic stoppages in Panorama Voula due to the fire
As for the causes of the fire, by the Fire Department are unknown so far, while the mayor of Glyfada said earlier that it started from a substation of the DEDDIE.
To investigate the causes, a team of the Directorate has been sent to the site; Arson Investigation Unit, which has already begun collecting evidence.
At the same time by the police and new traffic regulations in Panorama Voula and in particular diversions at the junction of Troy and Priam Hector and Patroclus and Thessalia and Armatolons.
Activation of 112 for the removal of residents from Ano Voula
The Civil Protection appeals to the residents of Ano Voula and the surrounding areas to leave their homes as the flames from the fire have already reached a residential area and the yards of the houses.
The 112 message reads:
«Ministry of Climate Change and Civil Protection . If you are in Ano Voula evacuate now towards Ano Voula's Also Square. Forest fire in your area».
The message links to the Civil Protection website for self-protection instructions .
Police officers are already moving door-to-door in the area, urging residents to move away.
New reinforcement of forces in the fire in Ano Glyfada and Voula
Strong forces are currently operating at the front of the fire in Ymittos, which started from Ano Glyfada and is heading towards Voula.
A few minutes ago, the firefighting forces were reinforced again and now operate a total of 72 firefighters with three teams of hiking sections and 20 vehicles, while 6 aircraft, 3 helicopters and a helicopter for aerial coordination operate periodically from the air, while another army helicopter was mobilized.
Assistance is provided by volunteer firefighters and water trucks of local authorities.
Evacuation of the Panorama area requested by the mayor of Varis-Voula-Vouliagmeni
The fire, which broke out earlier in an area of Ano Glyfada, has moved towards Voula. There too, a residential area is now beginning to be threatened. In fact, the mayor of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni, Gregory Konstantellos, asked to evacuate the area Panorama, from the street Ymittos and towards the mountain and the residents to cooperate with the authorities.
At the point has rushed from the first moment the president of SPAY (Association for the Protection and Development of Hymettus) and mayor of Elliniko Argyroupolis, Yannis Konstantatos, who speaking to RES-MPA, stressed among other things:
«The situation is very difficult and the wind is not helping. The atmosphere is stuffy, we can hardly breathe. Unfortunately the fire is moving towards Panorama and now the mayor of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni has asked for evacuation.».
Mr. Constantatos also said, «The fire started from an area of Ano Glyfada, where unfortunately there has been no cleanup. We are fighting with the fire brigade and volunteers to contain it and prevent it from reaching homes. This is the third fire in 20 days. I want to thank the mayors from all the regions who have sent reinforcements and this shows the solidarity that exists. It's a difficult situation right now.‘.
