A man has been arrested for starting what developed as a wildfire close to Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city.
The fast-moving wildfire broke out Saturday evening near the suburb of Oreokastro, Hellenic Fire Service said, and residents of three small suburbs north of Thessaloniki were told to evacuate.
The fire ignited in a ravine in a mountainous area around 8:30 p.m. and spread quickly, the Fire Service said. It spread to the plains, burning mostly through brush, and while no residences have been damaged, several businesses were set on fire, the service said.
Residents of the small settlements of Anthoupoli, Filothei and Galini were notified by text to evacuate.
Also evacuated was a facility housing 157 people with special needs. Those who could walk, about 120, were being sheltered in a gym, while the rest were housed in a psychiatric hospital, local authorities said.
