Two dead, one injured as wildfire engulfs family home near Thessaloniki
A fast-moving wildfire in Oreokastro, Thessaloniki, claimed the lives of a 66-year-old man and, authorities fear, his 12-year-old son on June 30. The boy's mother was hospitalized with burns.
Fire outbreak and rapid spread
The fire ignited around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday in low vegetation in Derveni, near Oreokastro, and quickly spread into forested areas due to strong winds. It advanced toward the village of Liti, a community of about 4,000 residents. The area was under a high fire risk (category 3) that day.
The fire spread from Anthoupoli towards Liti.
Two emergency alerts were sent via the 112 system. The first, at 3:40 p.m., warned residents of the fire. The second, at 4:40 p.m., ordered the evacuation of Liti to the local stadium.
If you are in Liti community, evacuate towards Liti stadium. Follow the instructions of the authorities.
The victims
A 66-year-old retired teacher was found dead outside his isolated house in a forested area on the outskirts of Liti. His 40-year-old wife was rescued from the property with burns to her hands, thigh, and neck; she was taken to Ippokrateio Hospital in Thessaloniki and is in stable condition. She told rescuers that her 12-year-old son and her partner were still behind.
Firefighters could not immediately search the house because the blaze was too intense. After the fire was partially contained, a second charred body was discovered inside the destroyed home late Tuesday evening. Authorities have not officially identified it, but its size matches that of a child, and they fear it is the missing boy.
Firefighting response
A total of 115 firefighters, three forest commando teams, 36 vehicles, and volunteers battled the flames. Ten aircraft and three helicopters dropped water until nightfall. The fire caused limited damage to other homes in Liti. By night, there was no active front, but crews remained to prevent flare-ups. A brief flare-up occurred after 8 p.m., complicating the search for the child.
- Fire breaks out in low vegetation in Derveni.
- First 112 alert warns residents of the fire.
- Second 112 alert orders evacuation of Liti to the stadium.
- Body of 66-year-old man found outside house; mother rescued with burns.
- Fire flares up again, complicating search for missing child.
- Second body found inside house, feared to be the 12-year-old boy.
Aftermath and investigation
The cause of the fire remains unknown. The family's house was completely destroyed. The mother remains hospitalized but her life is not in danger. The community of Oreokastro is in shock. Authorities are awaiting DNA identification of the second body to confirm it is the boy.
