Properties in Serifos went up in flames, with the fire burning houses, businesses and vast areas of greenery, causing great destruction to the island’s ecosystem.

The night that passed was nightmarish.

The flames spread in the blink of an eye, sweeping the entire southwestern part of the island.

The area is being whipped by winds of 10 Beaufort.

Everywhere one looks there is fire.

Speaking to Sky, the Mayor of the island, Konstantinos Revinthis, spoke of a biblical disaster.

He described an uncontrolled situation with the front being active for 15 km in its entirety.

“We are talking about a huge disaster. Burnt houses, burnt cottages, warehouses. We are talking about disaster. Some chapels have also been damaged and the winds continue with the same intensity and above. The front is so big that we don’t know where to start.”

With three consecutive 112 messages, 8 settlements are evacuated. Residents and tourists are moving away towards the port and the country.

The fire started shortly before 6 pm in the Livadakia area.

The thicket vegetation takes hold immediately and the gusty winds help the fire to spread like lightning towards Koutala, Ganema, Vaia and Kalo Abeli.

The flames finally stop at sea.

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The firefighting forces on the island are few. Just 4 firefighters with 1 vehicle fighting alone for hours. 3 aerials manage to operate briefly before darkness falls. The battle is unequal.

Shortly after 8, 7 firefighters with 3 vehicles from Syros leave for Serifos. After a difficult mooring due to the weather conditions, they disembark at the port of Serifos shortly before 11 pm. Another 22 firefighters with 11 vehicles arrive in Serifos from Athens just before 3.30 at night.

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At the first light of the day, the aerial vehicles start dropping.

The fire is brought under control.

The first image from the damage register is heartbreaking.