Two arrests for negligent arson in Chalkidiki and Evros
Fire service investigation units arrested yesterday a 70-year-old Romanian and a 64-year-old Greek for fires caused by negligence that destroyed a total of 38 hectares.
Arrests for negligent fires in Chalkidiki and Evros
The fire service's investigative teams for arson crimes proceeded yesterday, Thursday, with two arrests — one in Chalkidiki and one in Evros — under flagrante delicto procedures, as reported by In.gr.
In Gerakini in the Municipality of Polygyros, Chalkidiki, a 70-year-old Romanian national was arrested at approximately 11:50. The elderly man started a fire in a pile of vegetation waste, which spread to an agricultural area. Eight hectares of grassland and agricultural area were burned in the fire.
In Lavara in the Municipality of Soufli, Evros, personnel from the Evros directorate of the directorate for combating arson crimes arrested a 64-year-old Greek national for a fire that broke out around 18:00 during grass-cutting operations. The fire was caused by a spark generated when a metal part of the grass-cutting machine made contact with a stone. A total of 30 hectares of agricultural-forestry area were burned.
Difficult decade ahead
The president of the Union of Fire Service Officers, Kostas Tsigkas, speaking to ERTnews yesterday, noted that strong winds would continue over the weekend, whilst from Sunday evening a new rise in temperature was expected — conditions that favour the occurrence and spread of fires. The coming ten-day period is assessed as very high risk from a fire meteorology perspective.
According to statistical data, nine out of ten fires are caused by human negligence rather than intent. Certain activities are not prohibited in themselves, "but are prohibited when conditions do not permit them", clarified Mr Tsigkas. With high temperatures and strong winds, "a single spark is enough".
760 fines and 330 arrests from the start of the year
From 1 January to 4 September 2026, a total of 760 administrative fines have been imposed, totalling €1,270,196.47. In parallel, 330 arrests have been made under flagrante delicto procedures: 293 (88.79 per cent) concern negligent arson and 37 (11.21 per cent) concern intentional arson.
The Directorate for Combating Arson Crimes (DAEE) and the investigative services of the Fire Service remain on increased operational alert, conducting intensive inspections and holding those responsible immediately where violations are found.
Source: In.gr