Fire and Police investigators have visual footage available to them that clearly shows an arsonist setting fire to dry grass in Varis- Koropi, according to the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias.

In fact, according to protothema.gr, from a store camera in Varis – Koropi, the arsonist can be seen setting the fire and then running. At the same time it seems that he has been recorded in photos further down, towards Kitsi with a can and sputum.

The entire statement of the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias:

“Since dawn today firefighters volunteers and Civil Protection forces are fighting dozens of fire outbreaks across the country . From noon onwards almost every 10 minutes we had a new start. Dozens of fronts have been encountered, some of them dangerous, such as Karystos, Markopoulou and Naxos, where a negligent – criminally negligent – arsonist was arrested. Before the fire in Markopoulo was well and truly put out, a new fire broke out in Attica, in Varis-Koropiou, in dry grass. Despite the immediate intervention of powerful ground and air resources, it spread and expanded rapidly. 45 vehicles, 145 firefighters, 4 hikers of the 1st Forestry Group, and 17 air assets (6 aircraft and 11 helicopters, including 1 of the GSDF) together with numerous volunteers, forces of the local authorities and the Greek Police who assisted in the safe evacuations, were on the scene. The investigating authorities of the Fire and Police have at their disposal visual material that clearly shows an arsonist setting fire to dry grass in Varis- Koropiou and a can of oil and a sponge was found a little further down the road.

Almost every 10 minutes, a new fire breaks out

Every ten minutes we have a new fire, said the spokesman of the Fire Department Vassilis Vathrakogiannis during the emergency briefing on the big fire in Varis – Koropi. “We constantly have new starts,” he further stressed.

According to the Fire Department spokesman, there were 300 new fire starts, which is almost one every ten minutes. As he pointed out, “in recent hours we have constantly new starts. Most of them were dealt with immediately in the first stage” and added that it was a very difficult day today with many fire starts in many areas of the territory.

Official update from the fire brigade on the fire in Koropi – Many outbreaks across the country

Regarding the fire that broke out in Koropi, Mr. Vathrakogiannis said that it started from low vegetation on Varis-Koropi Avenue, near the Evelpidon School and is ongoing and stressed that “this fire spread rapidly in the wider area with the help of very strong winds whose gusts reached 8 Beaufort”. For this reason, he stressed, a warning message was first issued by 112 and then two more messages were issued to evacuate residents from the areas of Lambrica and Kichi Koropi.

“With the assistance of Greek Police forces, where necessary, the removal of residents is being carried out because their safety is paramount. The forces operating are constantly reinforced,” he noted. Specifically, as it was known by the Fire Department, 72 firefighters with 2 teams of hiking sections, 28 vehicles, 4 aircraft and 6 helicopters are currently operating.

At the same time, Mr. Vathrakogiannis said that another dangerous fire in Kranidi Argolida is underway, in which, as he said, strong ground and air forces are operating, while a short while ago a message was issued by 112 in order to remove residents from the area of Dardiza Ermionida. In particular, the 112 message states: “Forest fire in your area. If you are in the Dardiza area, please move away towards Thermisia and Petrothalassa Ermionis. Follow the instructions of the authorities”. “We call everyone’s attention because fires quickly take on dimensions and become dangerous,” Vathrakogiannis stressed.