The major wildfire that broke out Tuesday afternoon in the Feneos region of Corinthia has been brought under control as of early Wednesday morning, after ravaging large swathes of forest and damaging homes. Firefighters remain on high alert to tackle flare-ups above the village of Karteri and prevent reignitions.
The fire spread rapidly due to dry conditions and flammable vegetation, forcing overnight evacuations in seven villages. Emergency alerts were issued via Greece’s 112 system urging residents to leave the area for safety.
Homes Damaged, Farms Lost, and Livestock at Risk
In Kastania, the flames reached residential areas, damaging several homes. On-the-ground efforts through the night focused on protecting properties, as aerial firefighting operations were grounded after sunset.
Near Lake Stymphalia, the fire also reached the outskirts of the village of Kalianoi, consuming forestland and farmland. Livestock farmers attempted urgent evacuations, and at least one animal shelter was destroyed despite successful efforts to remove the animals in time with the help of fire crews.
Arrests Made Over Alleged Cause of Fire
Two men have been arrested in connection with the outbreak of the fire. According to authorities, the suspects—one Greek national and one from Kazakhstan—were reportedly using a grinder and performing welding work in the forest as they prepared structures for an outdoor rave party planned for Tuesday night.
An eyewitness, identified as a police officer, stated he saw the two men attempting to extinguish the flames with buckets of water when the fire broke out. Their efforts failed, and the fire quickly spread out of control.
The suspects now face possible charges related to negligence and arson, as investigators continue to assess the extent of the damage and confirm the cause.
