A large fire has broken out in the area of Neos Kouvaras in Attica, causing an alarm in the fire service.

The fire is raging at Peta, in Kouvaras of the municipality of Saronikos, and due to the strong winds, it has flared up and is currently burning close to houses. According to notia.gr the fire is moving up Paneio Mountain, while the evacuation of the Monastery of Skepi is underway, as well as the settlement of Heloni.

Twelve monks have been trapped in the monastery but are not in danger for now, but they cannot leave the site.

The Mayor of Saronikos speaking to protothema.gr said that the fire started from a PPC pillar, saying: “Unfortunately we have an issue with the fire and a big one. From the information I have the fire started from a PPC pillar, although I am not certain. It is blowing and as a result, we don’t know how the fire will develop. No settlement is in danger at the moment. 112 was put out as a precautionary measure.