Fire at plastics factory near Larissa brought under control after 112 alert for toxic smoke
A large fire at a plastics and packaging factory near Larissa, Greece, sent thick black smoke over the city on the evening of 16 August 2026, prompting a 112 emergency alert to residents. By early morning, the fire had no active hotspots.
Outbreak and location
A fire broke out at approximately 20:30 on Sunday, 16 August 2026, at the facilities of Karatzi A.E., a company producing packaging materials and plastics, located at the 5th kilometre of the Larissa-Athens National Road. The site lies in the Megali Vada area of the Kileler municipality, just outside the city of Larissa in central Greece. The blaze triggered an alarm at the Larissa Fire Service late on Sunday afternoon, with strong firefighting forces rushing to the scene to contain the flames and prevent further spread.
Response and mobilisation
A total of 30 firefighters with 13 vehicles and a special crane vehicle were dispatched to fight the fire, supported by water tankers from the Municipality of Larissa. Police cut traffic in both directions on the national road as crews battled both the flames and the winds prevailing in the area, which threatened to accelerate the fire's spread. The Larissa fire investigation team for arson crimes was mobilised to look into the causes of the blaze. No confirmed information on injuries or the extent of damage was available as of the evening of 16 August.
Smoke and public warning
The combustion of plastics and packaging materials at the factory produced dense black smoke that formed a large cloud over the city of Larissa, visible from many kilometres away. Winds carried the smoke toward residential areas, prompting the Civil Protection authority to send a 112 emergency alert at 21:05 on 16 August.
- Fire breaks out at plastics and packaging factory at 5th km of Larissa-Athens National Road
- Civil Protection sends 112 alert warning residents to stay indoors due to toxic smoke
- Fire declared without active hotspots; firefighters begin cooling-down operations
The alert instructed residents in the Kileler area of the Larissa regional unit to remain indoors, close doors and windows, and follow the authorities' guidance. The message read: "Fire at an industrial facility in the Kileler area of the Larissa Regional Unit. The smoke is heading toward your area. Remain indoors, close doors, windows. Follow the authorities' instructions."
Fire brought under control
By the early hours of 17 August, the Fire Brigade reported that the fire had no active hotspots remaining. Firefighting forces were proceeding with cooling-down operations to ensure the site was fully secured. The firefighting effort had been complicated by the nature of the burning materials and the winds in the region, but crews managed to contain the blaze without reports of casualties.
