The Fire Service examines a citizen’s testimony that attributes the cause of the catastrophic fire, which hit North-Eastern Attica starting from Varnava, to a short-circuit of a PPC pole.

The 76-year-old, resident of the village of Amalthia, claims that the “fiery blaze” that started at 15:03 on Sunday, started next to his house, most likely from a short circuit in an electricity pole that has been placed in the corner of his residence.

The 76-year-old gave a statement to the Fire Department’s Investigative Committee, with officials rushing to the scene to check if there are any findings that support his words.

As found on the wooden post there is a burnt spot.

At this very point there was a wear on a metal support.

A short circuit was created in the wires and, according to the 76-year-old, it is very possible that a red-hot piece of the wires fell on the dry grass, igniting the “inferno of fire”.

The how it started the fire in Varnavas, and how it reached such proportions in Attica, is under the “microscope” of the fire department according to SKAI reporter Panagiotis Spyropoulos. At this moment the officers of the Arson Crimes Prosecution have two pieces of evidence: that the fire has started almost simultaneously from two placesfrom the beginning of the village of Varnavas and the second near the stadium. The possibility of arson is not ruled out, while there is also a report of arson by negligence, as it was Sunday, and there were gatherings with grills, which is being investigated.

On Tuesday the fire brigade have to face scattered outbreaks and flare-upswhich are however controlled, have been mapped to see if they are burning near residential areas or forested areas, while the work of complete extinguishment may last from a week to 10 days. Already 10 aircraft and 10 helicopters are carrying out drenching, in order to facilitate the pedestrian sections to extinguish the last “candles” that could be dangerous.

As far as the destruction is concerned, the estimates speak for 100 thousand acres of burnt land, with the fiery front reaching 30 kilometers. A complete record of the disasters will be made by the state and municipalities for aid and compensation.

Cameras will be installed at a later stage in mixed zones, that is, in urban and forest environments, to detect the occurrence of a fire, but also any arsonists, while the aim is also to use satellite systems to detect fires in their origin.