Major fire flared up on the afternoon of September 18 in the area Agios Ioannis Renti, managed to significantly localize: by evening firefighters continued to work only with isolated outbreaks, there was no longer any threat of further spread of the fire.
The fire occurred around 14:45 in an open area near the intersection of streets October 28 and Stratigu Makriyanninear Kifisu Avenue. The area contained dry vegetation, garbage, car tires, pallets and other flammable materials.
– a fire broke out near 14:45;
— garbage, tires, mattresses, pallets and dry vegetation were burning;
– due to thick smoke around 15:00 Alert 112 was sent out;
— the fire service forces were strengthened to 18 firefighters and 7 vehicles;
— by the evening the fire front was limited to an area of approximately 3 strems;
— The cause of the fire is being investigated by a special unit of the fire service.
Smoke was visible from different areas of Athens
Due to the nature of flammable materials, thick black smoke very quickly rose above Renty. According to ERTthe fire spread across the site almost immediately, as there was a large amount of flammable waste there.
Particularly dense smoke was generated due to burning tires, mattresses, plastic and wooden pallets. The atmosphere in the area remained heavy for some time, and the column of smoke was clearly visible from a great distance.
Residents were warned in 112
Near 15:00 emergency warning system 112 sent a message to area residents. People were urged to stay indoors, close doors and windows and follow government instructions as smoke moved towards residential areas.
The fire occurred in an area where mainly enterprises and commercial facilities are located, but the main danger was the smoke from burning waste.
Firefighters had to be strengthened
Initially, they were sent to the place 12 firefighters and 4 vehiclesas well as special lifting equipment. Later the group was strengthened to 18 firefighters and 7 cars. Water carriers from the municipality of Nikea – Agios Ioannis Renti also participated in the firefighting.
Deputy fire service spokesman Yiannis Artopios told ERT that after 16:00 the situation had noticeably improved, although complete extinguishing was complicated by the nature of the materials in the area.
According to CNN Greecelater the active front was limited to an area of approximately 3000 square metersand the risk of further spread of fire was eliminated. Firefighters continued to douse individual fires.
The cause of the fire is being investigated
The Piraeus Arson Investigation Unit was brought in to determine the cause of the fire. So far, no official version of the fire has been announced.
Similar fires in areas with stored waste have repeatedly created serious problems in Athens. In 2024, the Athens News wrote about fire at a municipal warehouse in Kolonoswhere stored materials also burned and the area was covered in thick smoke.
The Renti area itself has also already become the site of serious incidents. Here in September 2023 city bus caught firehowever, then all the passengers were evacuated and there were no casualties.
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