A document sent to authorities months before the fatal fire that killed four elderly siblings in Konitsa, northern Greece, raised concerns over the conditions in which they were living, describing a situation that allegedly did not meet basic health and safety standards.

The four siblings — one man and three women aged between 69 and 84 — died in the early hours of Monday after a fire broke out inside the container that had been their home for three decades.

Their story began after a strong earthquake struck the Konitsa area in July 1996, damaging their family home. The container was provided as a temporary solution after the disaster, but it eventually became their permanent residence.

According to local reports, the siblings repeatedly refused offers of assistance to repair their old home or move to alternative accommodation, choosing instead to remain in the container.

Community concerns over living conditions

Konitsa community president Aris Dentopoulos said that a report had been sent to the relevant authorities on April 1, raising concerns about the family’s situation.

The document was forwarded to the municipality’s Social Services department and later shared with prosecutors.

It stated that the family was reportedly living in “particularly difficult and unacceptable conditions,” with claims that the residence did not meet basic hygiene and safety standards. The document also referred to reports of extreme financial hardship and possible health problems affecting some of the siblings.

Dentopoulos said authorities had launched an investigation following the report, but the siblings eventually returned to the container where they had been living.

“We had gone to the container many times to help them in any way we could,” he said, adding that the residence had no electricity and that they used a stove without a chimney.

The mayor of Konitsa, Andreas Papaspyris, also said that efforts had been made to move the elderly siblings to a care facility, but they did not want to leave.

The exact cause of the blaze remains under investigation by the Fire Service. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the fire started from a candle or oil lamp used by the siblings for lighting, as they reportedly had no electricity.