Huge out-of-control fire threatens homes near Athens

A massive forest fire fanned by winds is approaching dangerously close to a number of homes at the foot of Mount Benteli in the northern suburb of Athens, firefighters and local authorities said.

Yiannis Kalavatilis, mayor of Dionysos, one of the towns affected by the fire, located 30 kilometers from central Athens, said the fire, which broke out before noon, was "out of control".

Major television channels cut their programs to broadcast live scenes from the affected areas at the foot of Mount Benteli, which usually witness the outbreak of forest fires in the summer.

In all, 74 firefighters, supported by five helicopters and five water-spraying planes, are participating in the efforts to extinguish the fire, according to the firefighting service.

But winds of up to 38 kilometers per hour are hampering the suppression operations.

A number of volunteers are participating in the process of putting out the fire that approached the houses in the afternoon, according to scenes broadcast by the media.

Plumes of smoke could be seen and smelled of fire from central Athens, where the temperature reached 38 degrees Celsius.

The mayor of Bentele, Dimitra Kehaya, said that the fire extends over several kilometers.

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