57-year-old woman arrested for intentional arson in Corinthia; 93% of fire arrests stem from negligence, fire service says

What happened

The fire was reported at 18:46 on Sunday, 28 June, in dry grass in Corinthia. Investigators from the Arson Crime Suppression Directorate (DAEE) and local units determined that an open flame was used to set the vegetation alight. The 57-year-old was taken into custody after a preliminary inquiry, following the automatic flagrante delicto procedure.

Today, 29 June, she will be brought before the competent prosecutor. Fire service officials stressed that DAEE and investigative services remain on heightened operational readiness, carrying out intensive checks and moving to assign criminal and administrative liability where violations are detected.

The numbers behind the arrest

This is the ninth case of intentional arson solved in Greece since the start of the year. Out of 134 total arrests for fire protection law violations recorded up to and including 28 June, 9 concern intentional arson, or 6.72%. The remaining 125, 93.28% of the total, stem from negligence.

Investigative procedure

Specialist officers from the DAEE travelled to the scene immediately to support the local arson crime investigation unit in Corinthia. Evidence collected on site pointed to deliberate use of an open flame, leading to the arrest. The fire service underlined that all arrests are followed by immediate steps to impose the prescribed penalties under Greek fire protection legislation.

Broader pattern

While intentional arson arrests make up a small fraction of cases, the fire service notes that each one is pursued with the same evidentiary rigor. The 134 arrests in the first half of 2026 reflect a broader effort to enforce fire prevention laws during a period of elevated risk, with negligence, such as careless disposal of lit materials or unauthorized outdoor burning, dominating the caseload.