Fire near Thermi residences brought under control within hours as arson investigation begins
A low-vegetation fire broke out near homes in the Triadio area of Thermi, Thessaloniki, shortly after 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Firefighters deployed 22 personnel and 7 vehicles, bringing the threat under control by early evening.
Outbreak and immediate response
The fire ignited in a plot with low vegetation in the Triadio district of Thermi, a municipality east of Thessaloniki, at around 4:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, 7 July 2026. The flames erupted close to a residential area, triggering an alarm at the Fire Service. Within minutes, ground forces were mobilised: 22 firefighters manning 7 vehicles reached the scene to contain the advance before it could reach houses.
Aerial monitoring and coordination
Throughout the operation, the Unified Coordination Centre for Operations and Crisis Management (ESKEDIK) maintained a live feed from a drone equipped with both optical and thermal cameras. The real-time imagery allowed coordinators to direct ground crews more effectively, tracking hot spots and the fire’s perimeter. The use of drones has become a standard tool for the Hellenic Fire Service during incidents in the wildland–urban interface.
- A fire in low vegetation breaks out near residences in Triadio, Thermi, around 4:30 p.m.
- 22 firefighters with 7 vehicles are dispatched to the scene to contain the flames.
- A drone with optical and thermal cameras provides live feed to the ESKEDIK coordination centre.
- The Arson Crimes Directorate (DAEE) team arrives to investigate the cause of the fire.
- The fire is brought under control by early evening, according to the Fire Service.
Cause under investigation
Before the flames were fully extinguished, a special investigative unit from the Arson Crimes Directorate (DAEE) of Thessaloniki was dispatched to the scene. The team will examine the origin of the fire and determine whether it was set deliberately or resulted from other causes. No injuries were reported.
Risk backdrop
According to the daily Fire Risk Prediction Map issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, the area was classified as Risk Category 3 (high risk) on the day of the event. Greece’s summer fire season regularly sees such elevated alerts, and the rapid response in Thermi reflects the heightened state of readiness across the country.
