An alarm has been raised at the Heraklion Fire Department regarding a fire that broke out shortly before 15:00 p.m. at a warehouse storing stationery and hotel supplies in the Agios Ioannis Chostos area of Crete. The fire quickly spread due to the flammable materials, with the flames spreading to neighboring houses.

Strong winds are hampering the fire department’s efforts, and fire trucks are also facing difficulties accessing the site due to narrow streets, according to creta.24

Black smoke has blanketed Heraklion and, as seen in the photos, is visible from a great distance, while the commercial building where the fire started has already been destroyed.

The fire broke out under circumstances that remain unknown at this time earlier today at noon (June 25), on pallets at the factory. Firefighting operations are in full swing, and a large number of firefighters have rushed to the scene.

According to the Fire Department, the firefighting operation initially involved 8 vehicles, 32 firefighters, and 1 helicopter; shortly after 4:00 p.m., reinforcements arrived, and the operation now involves 75 firefighters, including 1 foot patrol team from the 3rd EMODE, the Special HBRP & TA Team of the 3rd EMAK, the “IKAROS” Special Operations Team, 15 vehicles and a specialized crane truck, as well as 1 helicopter.

#Fire at a storage facility in #Heraklion, Crete. 32 #firefighters were mobilized, along with 1 foot patrol team from the 3rd Special Operations Unit, 8 vehicles, and 1 helicopter.

— Fire Department (@pyrosvestiki) June 25, 2026

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The fire quickly spread due to highly flammable materials, according to neakriti.gr. Of particular concern is the fact that the flames are burning very close to an industrial zone as well as residential homes, and a major effort is underway to prevent the fire from spreading further.

Concerns have been raised by the fact that a small explosion was heard at the site, though there have been no reports of injuries so far, as reported by neakriti. Firefighters are also responding to homes near the fire, having climbed to the first and second floors of an apartment building, as well as on the balconies of homes, in order to assess the situation and prevent further risks.

The fire is reported to have spread to residential buildings, with reports indicating that some homes have been engulfed in flames. Firefighters are struggling to contain the fire front and prevent it from spreading further

Due to the severity of the incident, the 112 emergency service was activated, and a warning message was sent to citizens’ cell phones. Specifically, at 3:35 p.m., the 112 emergency service sent a message urging citizens to take precautions against the smoke.

It should be noted that traffic is being diverted before the Agios Ioannis Chostos Bridge in Therissa and Koroni Magara.

The operation is being coordinated using continuous drone
footage The operation is being coordinated using continuous drone footage, captured by visual and thermal cameras, which is being received by ESKEDIK throughout the duration of the incident. At the same time, the Heraklion Arson Investigation Unit has also arrived at the scene to investigate the causes of the fire.