A sudden wildfire that erupted east of Athens proper on Thursday between the municipalities of Rafina and Pikermi appeared as dying down and under control in the late afternoon, after having burned several residences and vehicles.

The fire-fighting operation before dusk aimed to prevent any flare-ups heading into the evening and early morning hours.

(ΤΑΤΙΑΝΑ BOLARI/EUROKINISSI)

 (ΤΑΤΙΑΝΑ BOLARI/EUROKINISSI)

The specific spot where the blaze erupted generated an immediate and massive response by firefighting units and aerial support, given that it was located in the general vicinity where 102 people died in in July 2018 in Greece’s deadliest wildfire, the Mati conflagration.

Earlier, traffic was suspended in both directions of Marathonos Avenue, as the fire burned through crop, brushland and some pine thatches near the roadway, which connects the greater Athens area with the busy port of Rafina and the eastern Attica coastline.

According to the fire brigade 90 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, including six ground units, supported by 15 fire engines. The firefighting effort is further reinforced by local volunteers and five water-dropping aircraft.

Authorities also said at least 22 domesticated animals were rescued by first responders and volunteers, as they were at risk from the flames and smoke in the affected region.

(ΤΑΤΙΑΝΑ BOLARI/EUROKINISSI)

Four settlements evacuated

Four settlements were evacuated by police near the initial epicenter, the Aghia Kyriaki site between Rafina and Pikermi.

(ΤΑΤΙΑΝΑ BOLARI/EUROKINISSI)

Meanwhile, two ferry boats carrying passengers from the town of Marmari, on southern Evia Island, to Rafina, and another having disembarked from Andros were diverted to the harbor of Lavrio, given that roads leading out of Rafina were either closed of congested.

(ΤΑΤΙΑΝΑ BOLARI/EUROKINISSI)

(Thanassis Dimopoulos/EUROKINISSI)