Greece records 20 arrests for fire negligence in first five days of July, including four for hot works during high-risk alert
Greek authorities made 20 arrests for fire-related negligence between 1 and 5 July, while four people were detained in Attica for performing hot works on a day of very high fire risk.
Arrests surge in early July
Greek fire authorities made 20 arrests for fire-related negligence in the first five days of July, the Hellenic Fire Service reported on 5 July. The figure represents 12.2% of all 164 arrests recorded since the start of 2026. In the same period, 20 administrative fines were imposed, totaling €55,005.99.
The tally of the first five days of July reflects the continuous operational action of the Fire Service and the systematic investigation of every incident.
Attica hot works arrests
On a day with very high fire risk (category 4), four individuals were arrested in Attica for performing hot works outdoors in violation of the law. The arrests occurred in three separate incidents. At 10:41, a 47-year-old foreign national was caught using a grinder in Dionysos. At 12:03, a 60-year-old foreign national was detained in Rapentosa for the same offence. At 13:34, a 73-year-old Greek and a 35-year-old foreign national were found using a grinder and welding equipment in Koropi. Each received a €3,000 fine.
- 47-year-old foreign national arrested in Dionysos for using a grinder
- 60-year-old foreign national arrested in Rapentosa for using a grinder
- 73-year-old Greek and 35-year-old foreign national arrested in Koropi for grinder and welding
Year-to-date enforcement
From 1 January to 5 July 2026, the Fire Service imposed 521 administrative fines totaling €645,080.80 and made 164 arrests. Of those arrests, 151 (92.07%) were for negligence and 13 (7.93%) for intentional acts. Notable cases investigated include a combine harvester fire in Atalanti that spread to forest land, and a large blaze in Oreokastro, Thessaloniki, on the evening of 4 July that destroyed businesses and caused significant property damage. A 76-year-old Greek national was arrested within hours in connection with the Oreokastro fire.
- Negligence
- 151
- Intentional
- 13
Fire service warning
The Fire Service stressed that the overwhelming majority of wildfires continue to stem from human negligence. It urged the public to avoid any work that could produce sparks or ignition sources on high-risk days.
The strict observance of fire safety measures and the avoidance of hot works on days of high and very high risk are decisive factors for the protection of human life, the natural environment and citizens' property.
