Fire erupts at outdoor recycling yard in Markopoulo, Attica; 32 firefighters battle blaze as investigation launches

Immediate incident

At approximately 20:30 local time on Friday, 24 July 2026, a fire ignited in the outdoor storage yard of a recycling facility in Markopoulo-Mesogaias, a municipality in East Attica. The Hellenic Fire Service’s Operations Centre received the emergency call and immediately launched a response. The yard contained an assortment of recyclable materials, including paper, plastics, and metals, which provided fuel for the flames. The blaze was confined to the open-air sector of the business, and no injuries were reported during the initial phase of the incident.

Firefighting deployment

Within minutes, the Fire Service dispatched 32 personnel, a mix of professional firefighters and trained volunteer crew members, along with 11 fire engines. The municipality of Markopoulo-Mesogaias augmented the effort by sending water tankers to supplement hydrant supplies. Ground crews established a perimeter and worked to prevent the fire from reaching adjacent industrial buildings or storage sheds. Throughout the suppression activity, the Fire Service stated that the flames remained limited to the recycling yard.

Drone-based surveillance

ESKEDIK, the national coordination centre for crisis management, deployed a drone to maintain continuous oversight of the fire. The unmanned aircraft was equipped with optical and thermal cameras, transmitting live imagery to the ESKEDIK operations room. The optical feed provided a detailed visual map of the scene, while the thermal camera detected residual heat and hotspots invisible to the naked eye, helping crews locate smouldering pockets. This real-time aerial intelligence allowed incident commanders to adapt their strategy and allocate firefighting resources more efficiently.

Cause under investigation

In line with standard procedures for fires of uncertain origin, the East Attica Investigative Unit for Combating Arson Crimes was activated on Friday evening. The unit’s specialists will conduct a thorough examination of the yard, gather physical samples, and interview staff and any witnesses to piece together the sequence of events. As of late Friday, the cause of the fire had not been determined, and the investigation remained ongoing. The Fire Service has not indicated whether it suspects an accidental ignition or a deliberate act.

Containment and ongoing actions

By late evening, firefighting teams were transitioning from active suppression to mop-up operations, ensuring that no hidden embers could reignite. The Markopoulo-Mesogaias municipality continued to supply water tankers and managed local traffic around the incident zone. The recycling facility stayed closed, with authorities stating that it would not reopen until the investigative team completes its preliminary work and the Fire Service confirms the area is safe. No damage to adjacent structures or off-site impacts were reported, and no hazardous materials were involved.