ATHENS: A drunk driver who wrecked his car early on Monday morning caused a major fire on the Greek island of Chios, German news agency (dpa) quoted a report from state broadcaster ERT.
The driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a bush on the side of the road in the early hours, ERT reported. The car’s engine subsequently caught fire.
The flames quickly reached a nearby forest on the northwestern part of the island. The entire fire brigade of the island – volunteers, fire-fighting aircraft and helicopters – had to be deployed to contain the fires.
In addition, two villages were evacuated, the report added. The blaze was only brought under control in the afternoon.
The driver was arrested for drink driving and will now face the additional charge of negligent arson brought by the public prosecutor’s office on the Aegean island, according to media reports. According to authorities, negligent behaviour has been to blame for most fires in Greece. In the past four weeks, according to initial government estimates, about 43,000 hectares of forest, scrubland and agricultural land have been destroyed by wildfires across Greece. – BERNAMA-
