Firefighters and Civil Protection forces fought an overnight battle on three fire fronts, with the fires that have broken out in Kos, Chios and Heraklion, Crete, remaining ongoing.

The situation remains difficult in the fire that broke out yesterday morning in Kos in the area of Porte Antimachia, according to the fire brigade. The fire is moving towards the coastal front and for this reason the village of Kardamena has been evacuated, the fire brigade said.

The fire, according to kosnews24.gr, extends from the area of the old quarry to Kardamena just opposite the castle of Antimacheia, while the flames are in the surrounding area of houses.

Although there was a report in the early hours of the morning that the fire in the area just outside Kardamena was in remission, the fire brigade did not confirm it.

112 messages were sent to those in Kardamena to evacuate towards Antimachia. Residents and visitors of Kardamena village were transported by buses, also provided by the local government, to school facilities and the local stadium. The Coast Guard is also on standby to assist, if required.

According to the Fire Department, no damage to a house or hotel has been reported so far. 102 firefighters are operating at the scene with 7 teams of hiking sections and 13 vehicles while 6 aircraft and 2 helicopters operated from the air.

Photos of the people gathered at the Antimacha stadium:

Photos from the fire in Kos:

The mayor of Kos, Theodosis Nikitaras, in a Facebook post appealed for help from volunteer groups to help extinguish the fire. Specifically, he says the following:

“Urgent!

We urgently need volunteer groups and young people to rush to assist in our work. The public buildings of Antimachia, the High School and Gymnasium complex, the Primary School and the Hall of the Assumption remain open, where residents and visitors of Kardamena can be directed after the evacuation due to the ongoing fire. Voluntary help offered for the care of our fellow human beings can be directed to the same places.”

Kos is being tested, the South Aegean regional governor Giorgos Hadjimarkos said in a statement, noting that the battle is underway to deal with the fire. In particular, the South Aegean regional governor says the following:

“Kos is being tested. The state mechanism, as a whole and with the valuable assistance of volunteers, is fighting the battle of extinguishing. At the same time, visitors are being transferred to safe places. The South Aegean Region is in direct communication both centrally and locally, with the relevant government agencies, assisting the work of the Fire Brigade and the Municipality of Kos, which has the command of Civil Protection. The main concern is the protection of human life. It is what counts above all else in these difficult times. With composure, solidarity and responsibility, Kos will emerge victorious from this great challenge. We are all with her!”

Battle with the flames in Chios

The fire that broke out yesterday morning in Sidirunta Chios is also ongoing. As known by the fire brigade, the intensity of the fire burning in a mountainous part of the area has been reduced, while so far no residences are threatened. The fire brigade and Civil Protection forces will make efforts throughout the night to contain the fire. Specifically, the ground forces operating are 154 firefighters with 27 vehicles while assistance is being provided by OTA water trucks, project machinery and volunteers.

According to information from the Fire Brigade, during the extinguishing of the fire in Chios, 6 people were slightly injured, namely 5 firefighters and a private retired firefighter.

It is noted that the competent authorities proceeded to the arrest of a 63-year-old man for the fire that broke out today in Chios.

Specifically, as stated by the Fire Department, a local man was arrested, under the spontaneous procedure, by investigative officials of the Fire Department of Chios, as the culprit of causing a fire in an agroforestry area in the location Lampi of the Local Community Sidiroundas on the island of Chios and was imposed an administrative fine of 8,859.375 euros.

The aforementioned person is detained and will be brought before the Prosecutor of the Chios Plenary Court today.

Video and photos of the fire in Chios:

Fire after midnight and in Heraklion

Shortly after midnight, a fire broke out in a grassland area in a difficult spot in the Geraki area of the Municipality of Minoa Pedias in Heraklion, Crete. 51 firefighters with 15 vehicles and 2 hiking sections are operating at the site.

Regarding the fire that broke out in low vegetation in Katophygi Heraklion, according to the Fire Brigade the picture is better. 36 firefighters with 1 team of 13 vehicles are operating at the site.

For the fire in the area of Katofigi Heraklion Crete, two messages were issued by 112. The first message urged residents to remain on alert due to the ongoing fire, while the second message urged those in Katofygi and Xeniakos Crete to move away towards Embarou Square.

Over 50 fires in the last 24 hours

52 agroforestry fires occurred in the last 24 hours. 44 of these were immediately treated and firefighters are currently treating 8 more fires.

Without an active front are the fires in Distomo of Boeotia, Zakynthos, Heraklion of Crete and Agios Elissaios of Laconia.