Thessaloniki wildfire drives evacuations as smoke blankets northern suburbs

Greece (AP) — Greek fire officials say a rapidly advancing wildfire erupted on Saturday evening in the outskirts of Thessaloniki, the country’s second-largest city.

Residents in three small northern suburbs were ordered to leave as the flames moved downhill. The fire started in a ravine in mountainous terrain around 8:30 p.m. and soon reached the plains below, burning mainly through brush, according to the Hellenic Fire Service.

Officials said homes were not destroyed, but several businesses suffered damage.

Text alerts were sent to people in the settlements of Anthoupoli, Filothei and Galini telling them to evacuate. A facility caring for 157 people with special needs was also cleared. Local authorities said about 120 residents who could walk were taken to a gymnasium for shelter, while the remainder were moved to a psychiatric hospital.

Overnight, authorities said a 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of starting the fire. The Hellenic Fire Service said he “appeared not to be sober.”

People in Thessaloniki reported seeing flames across the skyline and hearing explosions as flammable materials inside damaged businesses burned. Thick smoke covered several suburbs and western sections of the city.

The fire service said roughly 115 firefighters, 38 fire engines and an unspecified number of volunteers were working to bring the blaze under control.