According to the information available so far, the fire in Peristeria, Salamis, started on a lot filled with trash near Andromachi Street. Specifically, as reported by Fire Department sources, a resident of Andromachis Street who reported the fire (2:43 p.m.) to the fire department stated that the fire started on an adjacent lot on Andromachi Street that was filled with trash.
The causes of the fire, along with the second fire that broke out just a few minutes later, at 15:03 in the Kaki Vigla area of Selinion, are being investigated very carefully by the Arson Crimes Division, as the fire, which spread rapidly, took on tragic proportions, resulting in two deaths and nine injuries.
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Firefighters are dealing with scattered hot spots and areas emitting smoke, while the second fire on the island, which broke out in the Selinia area, no longer has an active front.
A total of 260 firefighters, including 15 ground crews from the 1st EMODE and 58 vehicles, as well as volunteers, are continuing to operate at both fires. For aerial firefighting, 10 aircraft and 8 helicopters have been deployed and are operating periodically, one of which is dedicated to coordinating their efforts.
Water tankers and heavy equipment from the Municipality of Salamina and the Region of Attica are assisting in the operation; in cooperation with the Forest Service, they are clearing firebreaks.
It should be noted that the fire in Peristeria took a tragic turn, as during the firefighting operation, firefighters discovered two bodies, which, according to reports, belong to an elderly couple who lived in a house near the point where the fire started—a plot of land littered with trash, near Andromachi Street.
Regarding the evacuation of residents, as reported by the Fire Department, from the beaches of Sanderli and Kolones on Salamis, so far, 515 people have been transferred to three ships that have rushed to the coastline. The evacuation was carried out with the assistance of two ships and a high-speed boat from the Fire Department, as well as four vessels from the Hellenic Coast Guard (ELAKT). The evacuation process is ongoing.
Hellenic Police forces have been mobilized to manage traffic.
The National Ambulance Service (EKAV) has deployed four ambulances and a for immediate response, and so far, eight burn victims and one elderly person have been transported by ambulance to the Salamina Health Center.
Please note that the following six messages were issued by 112:
1. At 2:55 p.m., to alert those in the wider area of the fire.
2. At 3:05 p.m., to evacuate those in the wider area of the Peristeria and Aias Klamb settlements toward Aiantio.
3. At 3:18 p.m., to evacuate those in the wider area of the Kolones settlement toward Saterli Beach.
4. At 3:22 p.m., to inform those in the surrounding area about the fire in Selinia.
5. At 3:32 p.m., to evacuate those in the wider area of the DEI Halioiti and Perani power plants toward Aiantio.
6. At 3:35 p.m., to evacuate those in the Kaki Vigla area toward Aiantio.
Please note that the area is currently at very high risk of fire (category 4), and very strong winds are blowing.
The Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Kostas Katsafados, will travel to Salamina tomorrow at noon, where he will hold a meeting with municipal authorities and relevant agencies to discuss the immediate repair of damage and compensation for those affected by the fires that broke out on the island today.
“As has been reported, the state apparatus has already been mobilized, and on-site inspections will begin immediately by teams from the General Directorate for the Restoration of Damage Caused by Natural Disasters, (GDAEFK), to assess the damage, in cooperation with the Municipality of Salamina.
Regarding the progress of the major fire in Salamina, the mayor of Salamina, George Th. Panagopoulos, spoke to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA) about the initial information regarding the two victims, as well as the measures that have been taken to support residents.
As he reported, the fire started in the Peristeria area, within a forested area, and, referring to the two deceased, he noted that, according to the information he has received, they were a couple.
“From what I’ve been told, a couple was found dead there; they must have been trapped and burned at that moment. I have no further information on this matter,” he stated, noting that he is awaiting an official update from the relevant authorities.
When asked about the possibility that the fire was linked to an undeveloped lot, Mr. Panagopoulos emphasized that the problem of undeveloped lots is a real one on the island.
As he noted, there are more than 10,000 undeveloped plots on Salamina, not counting residences with large open spaces, and “unfortunately, not everyone maintains them as they should.”
The mayor also referred to the measures the municipality has taken to accommodate and assist residents who were evacuated from areas threatened by the flames.
As he said, a municipal hall has already been made available to temporarily house residents, and transportation has been organized for residents from Saterli Beach—where a large number of people had gathered—as well as from the neighboring area of Kolones.
Two ferries were used to evacuate them, transporting the residents to the Faneromeni ferry terminal. There, according to the mayor, buses from the local KTEL had already been made available to transport people to City Hall.
Water and food were provided at the reception area, and a Red Cross team is also on site, offering support to residents in need.
READ ALSO: Elderly couple among the dead in Salamina: Trapped in the flames, hundreds rescued | AlphaNews
Source: APE-MPE/PROTO THEMA
