Firefighters continue to battle the flames to bring under control the fire that broke out yesterday in Melia Alexandroupolis.

According to the representative of the fire department, Giannis Artopioos, the situation on the western edge of the front towards Agnadia and also south towards Nipsa is “a little more controlled”. However, as he pointed out, “the fire will not be easy, it is powered by the air. Air is the great enemy of firefighters.”

A total of 176 firefighters are operating with 10 teams of walking departments and 48 vehicles. With the first light of day, seven aircraft and four helicopters were mobilized, one of which has a coordinating role.

Voluntary firefighters, ELAS forces, as well as water tankers and machinery from the Greek Army and local authorities are assisting in the extinguishing work.

As it became known from GEETHAin the firefighting operation, the Armed Forces are assisting: 4 CL-415 firefighting aircraft, 1 PZL, 2 groups of 20 people from the XENOKRATES project, 2 groups of 10 people from the DEFKALIA project, earth movers to create fire zones, water vehicles, tankers and utility vehicles.

Houses have been burned in the villages of Aetochori and Pefka, as well as the Church of the Transfiguration of Sotiros, in Aetochori.

Egnatia opened

The General Regional Police Directorate of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace announced that on Egnatia Odos Kipon – Alexandroupolis from the height of the Ardani junction to the height of the Industrial Area (BI.PE.) junction of Alexandroupoli, vehicle traffic was restored in both traffic streams.

According to the Fire Service, the battle is being fought on two main fronts, in the south-west which concerns the forces more, and the south-east. The work is made difficult by strong winds.

Three elderly people were also taken to hospital with breathing problems. In the meantime, the Commander of the Fire Services of the Regional Unit of Evros, Spyros Koutras, was hospitalized in Alexandroupoli due to unwellness.

Fire

Five messages were sent from 112 yesterday and eight settlements have been evacuated.

The last message called the residents of Alexandroupolis to remain in their homes due to the suffocating atmosphere from the smoke of the large fire raging in the area. At the same time, it refers citizens to a website for self-protection instructions.

Fire

⚠️ Activation 1️⃣1️⃣2️⃣

📍#Alexandroupoli

🔥 A forest fire is developing. The fumes are directed to your area.

❗️Stay indoors

❗️Close doors & windows

Self-protection instructions ℹ️ https://t.co/SQv3cCoLOr@pyrosvestiki@hellenicpolice

Eight settlements have been evacuated. It is about the settlements Anthia, bathroom, Agnatian, Aristocratic, Doric, Nipsa, Aetochori and Pefka.

All the residents of the areas that have been evacuated were transferred to the community center of Alexandroupolis

.

It is recalled that the fire broke out at dawn in a wooded area in the area of ​​Melia Alexandroupolis, near the Ferry Port of Evros and because it was heading south towards Egnatia Street, temporary traffic regulations were put into effect.

A previous message from 112 called on the residents of Melia, Nipsa, Pefka and Loutros to be ready.

The fire started by lightning at 4.30 in the morning.

Fire

With information from APE