Homes and businesses in Penteli, Vrilissia, and Chalandri were burned to the ground, where the fire fronts that have been burning northeastern Attica for a second day.

The forest areas that have been burned are huge, and the fire has even reached homes and businesses, irreparably destroying many human properties.

702 firefighters with 27 forestry teams, 199 vehicles, and Volunteers are operating with the assistance of all Civil Protection agencies. From the air, 35 air assets are periodically operating, namely 17 aircraft and 18 helicopters, 3 of which are used for coordination.

The Hellenic Police has carried out hundreds of evacuations of people from the areas affected by the fire, and issued a statement this morning calling on citizens to follow the instructions issued for the evacuation of areas and not to approach the fire-affected areas with their vehicles.

Watch video and photos of the devastation caused by the fires:

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The fire at a business selling heating oil

A heating oil sales company in Pampa Halandriou in Vrilissia was engulfed in flames. Théma’s Frixos Drakontidis, who was at the scene, recorded images of the business and the efforts being made to bring it under control.

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Bursts in Vrilissia
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Meanwhile, repeated explosions were heard just before eight o’clock in the evening in the area of Vrilissia, at the end of Kleisthenous Street. According to initial reports, the flames reached a business with paints, chemicals and insulation materials, which are highly flammable.

The explosions were heard at a great distance causing panic among those near the scene. At the same time, a timber factory nearby has also gone up in flames, where flammable materials are also present.

A few minutes after eight o’clock, a message from 112 alerted the residents of the Desi district of Gerakas to evacuate either towards the centre of Gerakas or towards Marathon Avenue. This is the neighborhood near the site of the explosions.

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