According to statements by the deputy mayor of Aspropyrgos, Michalis Psomiadis, five warehouses, and two factories have burned, while due to the gale force winds, airplanes cannot fly. There is also a fire centre at the airport of Elefsina, around the perimeter, without any danger, as the deputy governor of Attica told ANT1 in the show “Summer Together”.

Speaking to ANT1, the deputy head of Civil Protection and Environment, Vassilis Kokkalis, said that there is low vegetation in the area, but there is also a lot of waste. While he said it is suspected that the fire started from mattresses and cables. Kokkalis said there is a fire outbreak around the perimeter of the Elefsina airport, however, he noted that “there is no danger” from this particular fire.

Aspropyrgos Mayor Nikos Meletios said, speaking to ERT, that the fire raging in the Aspropyrgos area started from the improvised dumpsites.

“It is a location which is a warehouse area. There are huge warehouses with logistics materials and unfortunately, the fire started from the uncontrolled dumping of garbage and open market produce that we experience on a daily basis in Aspropyrgos. It is a huge issue that all the Central Government agencies are aware of. Aspropyrgos is facing it because of its proximity to the Ano Liosia landfill. With the landfill, it has easy access to Roma groups, the garbage they clean up from the Athens basin to bring and dump there,” he said.

He stressed that: “Let me inform you about something a resident told me. The fire started last night from a hearth that some Roma had who were burning cables, tires. It didn’t have the strong northerly winds, it had southerly winds. So the wind was swirling and it went to the north and with the strong northerly winds we have it made this disaster.”

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The Fire Brigade has been alerted to a fire in Aspropyrgos, West Attica near the industrial zone.

According to the Fire Brigade, ground and air forces are operating in different fire outbreaks in the wider area of Aspropyrgos and according to information, the outbreaks are in at least three locations. 72 firefighters with 27 vehicles, two land teams, and two helicopters are operating.

Ground and air forces are operating at different #fire hotspots in the wider Aspropyrgos area.

At the same time, according to an update from the police, traffic regulations were implemented in the area.

Warning message 112 to residents

Authorities have sent the ‘112’ warning notice to residents: “If you are in Lakka Katsari turn away towards Aspropyrgos. Forest fire in your area”.

On the fire in Aspropyrgos, Fire Brigade spokesman Yannis Bakiris said that it is close to where the fire broke out yesterday and that almost daily the fire brigade is called to the area for fires started by burning tyres or other materials and by burning dry grass on plots of land.

The Fire Department spokesman claimed that this is a new fire that started near the industrial zone. “We often have such incidents, it is almost a daily occurrence,” he said, speaking to SKAI.

Suspension of the Suburban Railway in the section Kineta-Ano Liosia, on the order of the Fire Brigade, due to a fire in the area.

Train 1309 has been stopped at Kineta station. Delays and possible cancellations are expected according to Hellenic Train.