The Athens Prosecutor’s Office has brought felony charges against a 34-year-old Roma woman for arson resulting in the death of another person. Her two daughters, aged 13 and 16, are also facing prosecution for the same offence.

Earlier on Sunday, the three were brought before prosecutors in connection with the tragedy in Zefyri, where two firefighters lost their lives while battling a blaze in an abandoned building.

Meanwhile, an arrest warrant has been issued for the woman’s 44-year-old husband, who remains at large, on the same charge.

The tragedy occurred on Saturday on Katsantoni Street in Fyli, leaving the Greek Fire Service in mourning. The two firefighters who lost their lives had entered the building to extinguish the fire but became trapped inside under circumstances that have yet to be clarified.

Investigators examine ashes from wood-burning stove as possible cause

According to evidence gathered during the preliminary investigation by the Athens Arson Investigation Unit, working alongside the Directorate for Combating Arson Crimes and Zefyri Security Police, the 34-year-old woman, her husband and their two daughters had been living on the ground floor of the abandoned building. The family used a wood-burning stove for heating and, according to indications gathered so far, its members allegedly disposed of combustion residue in the stairwell.

Investigators are examining whether the discarded ashes caused the fire that led to the fatal emergency operation. During their inspection of the premises, they discovered rubbish, plastics and other flammable materials, which are being examined to establish how the fire started and spread.