Greek Fires Reach Ancient Olympics

There have been a few arrests in what may turn out to be one of the largest arson fires in modern Greece.One of the individuals is a 65-year-old man, who witnesses said they saw torching areas in the southern Peloponnese region near the town of Areopolis, located 190 kilometers (120 miles) southwest of Athens, and the other is a 77-year-old woman who reportedly started a fire while cooking in her garden in Zaharo, one of the hardest hit areas in the south. Authorities have said there may be as many as five more arrests may be made in connection to the fires.

The massive fires consuming large areas of southern Greece for a third day raced toward the site of the ancient Olympics on Sunday, engulfing villages and forests as the flames reached one of the most revered sites of antiquity. At least 57 people have been killed in the country's worst wildfires in decades, including five who died Sunday in a new blaze on the island of Evia and a woman whose body was found in a village near Ancient Olympia. There were fears the death toll could rise as new fires broke out and strong winds pushed flames through villages and hamlets.

The scenes they showed on the news this morning were horrific, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the Grecian citizens.

olympics

Iowa City Arsonist?

I was just reading the news story about the fires downtown and am wondering if Iowa City has a serial arsonist at work.

Investigators continue to investigate four fires that broke out early Saturday morning on two streets in downtown Iowa City, sending one firefighter to the hospital.

Thanks to the fast reaction of our firefighting and police personnel no one was seriously injured, but residents were forced to flee and the Red Cross is providing shelter. The fire and police departments are asking for anyone with information to please contact them at 319-358-8477. Let's help them find this person or persons, before someone gets injured or killed.

Having been through a devestating house fire years ago, I know how much you lose, that cannot be replaced in an event like this.

Good luck to the authorities!


fires