New details have emerged about the tragedy that unfolded on Saturday afternoon (14 November) following a fire at an abandoned building in Zephyri, in the municipality of Fyli, Attica, which left two firefighters, aged 23 and 44, dead and a third injured.

The incident began on Saturday morning, when the Fire Service Operations Centre received a report of a fire at an abandoned building on Katsantoni Street, in the municipality of Fyli, at approximately 11:40 am. Shortly afterwards, 20 firefighters with six vehicles from Athens’ 10th, 6th and 12th Fire Stations, along with personnel from the 1st Special Disaster Response Unit (EMAK), arrived at the scene.

While firefighters were operating inside the abandoned building in an attempt to contain the blaze, part of the structure gave way, trapping several of them.

Two firefighters were initially pulled from the building unconscious and taken by ambulance to Attikon Hospital, while a third was rescued with injuries. The deaths of the 23-year-old and 44-year-old firefighters were confirmed shortly afterwards.

Authorities are investigating whether the two men died from asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation and the conditions inside the burning building, or whether they were crushed by falling structural materials.

The cause of the fire and the circumstances that led to the partial collapse of the building remain under investigation. Athens’ Arson Crimes Investigation Unit has been mobilised, while crucial evidence is also expected to emerge from the investigation into the precise causes of the two firefighters’ deaths.

‘They stepped onto the staircase and fell into the void. They could not get out, everything was on fire’

Konstantinos Papantonis, president of the Panhellenic Firefighters’ Union, spoke through tears about the tragedy.

Describing the circumstances in which the two firefighters lost their lives, he said: “There was a spiral staircase, there was an opening, and beneath it was a basement filled with rubbish and fire. Our colleagues stepped onto the staircase and fell through the opening. That is what I have been told. I do not know exactly where it happened or how accurate the information is. This is what most of the colleagues I spoke to told me. […]

“They ended up in the basement, beneath the rubbish that was on the spiral staircase. The space was very small and they could not get back out. Everything was on fire,” he added.

‘It was not a large fire. We saw smoke and the firefighters were crying,’ local resident says

A resident of the area described the dramatic moments that unfolded after the fire broke out at the abandoned building.

“At around 11:30 am, we heard sirens. We went outside and saw a fire in an abandoned building. The firefighters arrived, then we saw police units and ambulances arriving. Obviously, something happened to some of the firefighters inside. We do not know the details because they would not let us get close. We hope the lads are all right. We did not see a very large fire. We saw smoke. The building used to be an aluminium workshop, making aluminium frames and doors,” the resident said.

“When the emergency crews arrived, they were anxious. The firefighters were crying,” the resident added, explaining that they did not know whether anything had fallen onto the firefighters because members of the public had been prevented from approaching the scene.

‘The Fire Service family is mourning two of its own,’ says Tournas

“Today, the Fire Service family is mourning two of its own, who lost their lives in the line of duty,” Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Evangelos Tournas said in a statement.

“My thoughts are with their families and loved ones. I extend my deepest and most sincere condolences to them from the bottom of my heart.” “I also wish their colleague who was taken to hospital a swift and full recovery,” the minister added.

Fire Service statement

“Today is an exceptionally difficult day for the Fire Service. Two more of our personnel have lost their lives while responding to a fire that broke out in a building on Katsantoni Street, in the Fyli area of Attica. “The two firefighters heroically lost their lives in the line of duty while carrying out their mission, remaining faithful to their responsibility to protect the lives and property of citizens, as well as the natural environment.

“The entire leadership of the Fire Service expresses its profound sorrow and sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of our deceased colleagues. “A sworn administrative inquiry will be conducted into the causes and circumstances of the tragedy. “By order of the Chief of the Fire Service, all flags at Fire Service facilities will fly at half-mast as a mark of mourning. Our thoughts are with them all.”