PHOTO: Three arrests in connection with the tragedy involving two firefighters killed in Greece; what authorities are investigating

Photos from inside the abandoned building in Zefiri, in the municipality of Fyli, which went up in flames on Saturday morning (11/14) capture the scene where two firefighters, aged 23 and 44, lost their lives.

So far, the causes of the fire and the circumstances that led to the collapse of part of the building remain unclear. The Athens Arson Crimes Investigation Unit is conducting an investigation at the scene. In fact, as part of the investigation, trash, plastic, and other materials were found.

After analyzing the evidence gathered and with the assistance of the Zefyri Security Division of the Hellenic Police, a 34-year-old woman and her two minor daughters, aged 13 and 16, were taken into custody.

READ ALSO: Firefighters Killed in Greece: “They Stepped on the Ladder and Fell into the Void”—How the Tragedy Unfolded | AlphaNews

According to the preliminary investigation findings so far, the 34-year-old woman, her 44-year-old husband, and their two minor daughters allegedly left combustion residues from a wood-burning stove they used on the ground floor, where they lived, in the building’s stairwell. According to the evidence gathered so far, this is inextricably linked to the cause of the fire.

Following an evaluation of the preliminary investigation materials, the 34-year-old woman and the two minors were arrested, while the 44-year-old man is being sought as part of the flagrante delicto proceedings. 

At the same time, authorities are investigating whether the two men died of asphyxiation due to smoke and the conditions inside the burning building, or if they were crushed by collapsing structural materials.

See photos of the burned-out, abandoned building in Zefiri:

How the tragedy unfolded

It all unfolded this morning, when, at approximately 11:40 a.m., the Fire Department’s Operations Center was alerted to a fire in an abandoned building on Katsantoni Street, in the municipality of Fyli. Shortly thereafter, 20 firefighters with six vehicles from the 10th, 6th, and 12th Athens Fire Stations, as well as personnel from the 1st Special Rescue Unit (EMAK).

While the firefighters were operating inside the abandoned building, attempting to contain the fire, a section of the building collapsed, trapping some of them.

Two of the firefighters were initially pulled out unconscious and taken by an EKAB ambulance to Attiko Hospital, while a third injured firefighter was also rescued. Shortly afterward, the deaths of the 23-year-old and 44-year-old firefighters were confirmed.

“They stepped on the ladder and fell into the void; they couldn’t get out—they were trapped in the fire.”

The president of the Panhellenic Firefighters’ Association, Konstantinos Papantonis, spoke with tears in his eyes about the tragic incident. Regarding the circumstances under which the two firefighters lost their lives, he pointed out that “There was a spiral staircase with a notch in it, leading down to a basement that was filled with trash and engulfed in flames. Our colleagues stepped onto the staircase and fell through the opening. That’s what they told me. I don’t know to what extent or how accurate it is. That’s what most of the colleagues I asked told me. […]

“In the basement, beneath the trash that was on the staircase—the spiral staircase. The space was very small, and they couldn’t get back out; everything was engulfed in flames,” he noted.

“It wasn’t a big fire; we saw smoke, and the firefighters were crying,” says a local resident

A local resident describes the dramatic moments that unfolded when the fire broke out in the abandoned building.

“Around 11:30 a.m., we heard sirens. We went outside and saw a fire in an abandoned building. The firefighters arrived, then we saw police arriving, ambulances, and apparently some firefighters… Something happened inside; we don’t know the details because they wouldn’t let us get close. We hope the kids are okay. We didn’t see a very big fire. We saw smoke. It used to be an aluminum workshop where they made aluminum products and doors,” he said.

“The emergency crews arrived; they were distressed, and the firefighters were crying,” he added, though he doesn’t know if anything fell on the firefighters because they weren’t allowed to get close.

“The Fire Department family is mourning two of its own,” says Tournas

“Today, the Fire Department family mourns two of its own, who lost their lives in the line of duty,” said Evangelos Tournas, Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, in a statement. “My thoughts are with their families and loved ones. I offer them my deepest and most sincere condolences from the bottom of my heart.”

““I wish their colleague, who was taken to the hospital, a speedy and full recovery,” the minister also said.

The Fire Department’s statement:

“Today is an extremely difficult day for the Fire Department. Two more of our officers 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 gave their lives in the line of duty while faithfully carrying out their mission to protect the lives and property of citizens, as well as the natural environment.

The entire leadership of the Fire Department expresses its deep sorrow and sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of our deceased colleagues.

A sworn administrative investigation will be conducted into the causes and circumstances of the accident.

By order of the Chief of the Fire Department, all flags of our Services will be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning. Our thoughts are with them.”

See photos from the scene:

Source: Proto Thema