Two died in a fire late on Friday at Athens southern seaside suburb of Paleo Faliro. 33-year-old fireman Mathew Mantzios lost his life trying to save the life of a 44-year-old woman stuck on the 2^nd floor balcony of the apartment building at 4 Ippokratous St. Sources state that both the fireman and the woman he had tried to rescue died due to excessive smoke inhalation.

The fire broke out at around 9 p.m. at a plumbing store that is at the ground floor of the apartment block and quickly spread, engulfing the first floor. The situation was hard to control due to minor blasts as flammable chemicals in acetylene cylinders exploded.

An elderly woman and another fireman also fell unconscious in the rescue efforts but they were both rushed to hospital and are out of danger according to a press release issued by the fire brigade.

Forty firemen with 13 fire trucks responded to the call.