Penteli fire: Fire raging out of control, evacuation orderes for the wider area (videos-photos) (Upd.2)

UPDATE 2:

UPDATE: The fire in Penteli is raging out of control. At 19:54, the residents of Anthousa – an area next to Drafi – received a message from 112 to evacuate their area and head towards Gerakas.

The area of Anthousa is overgrown with pine trees and the prevailing conditions with gale force winds of over 6 Beaufort are fuelling the rapid expansion of the flames which are already burning houses in the area of the model settlement in Drafi. Now, the flames are moving in different directions in Anthousa. Both to the 2nd primary school of Penteli located on Kallision Street in Anthousa, but also to the stadium of Anthousa.

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A fire is currently underway in the area of Penteli in Attica, east of Marousi that broke out in low vegetation – pines and holly.

The fire reportedly is in Dau Pentelis, specifically above the Pantokratoros Monastery. The front is moving swiftly towards Drafi while strong winds are blowing in the area with gusts reaching eight Beaufort.

An evacuation order was also given from Drafi to Pallini. There are strong police forces in the area aiding residents in evacuating.

22 Fire Department vehicles with 78 firefighters, five groups of foot units, as well as water tankers of the local government have rushed to the spot. In addition, Romanian firefighters are assisting. Eleven aircraft and six helicopters have been dropping water from the air in the firefighting battle.

The plumes of smoke are visible as far away as Piraeus while the fiery front is moving towards Drafi. According to the press representative of the fire department, if deemed necessary, more aerial means will be mobilised. Speaking to ERT, the press representative said that the fire does not pose a threat to any residential areas at the moment.