Trikala and Karystos: two arrests over fires

The Fire Service announced two arrests for fires at different points in the country late on the evening of Tuesday 18 August. According to the news outlet NewsIT, a 46-year-old man was arrested in the area of Genesio in the prefecture of Trikala and is accused of intentional arson using a naked flame. The investigation by the investigation offices also linked the same man to two further fires that had broken out in the same area in the preceding days. At the same time, a 47-year-old man was arrested at Karystos and is accused of causing a fire by negligence. Both are considered innocent until judged by the courts.

The 47-year-old was carrying out works at a wind farm in the Komito area of Karystos, where a fire had broken out for which ground and aerial forces had been mobilised. According to the announcement, one of the two arrested men was given an administrative fine of 6,641.25 euros, while both case files were referred to the competent prosecuting authorities. The law clearly distinguishes intentional arson, which is punishable as a felony where a danger to persons or property arises, from a fire caused by negligence, which is treated as a misdemeanour and usually arises from a breach of precautionary measures during works. The case files are accompanied by the investigation office’s on-site inspection report, which describes the point where the fire started and the findings that led to the identification of the cause.

Work that produces sparks, such as metal cutting, welding and the use of an angle grinder, is prohibited in outdoor areas on high-risk days, as is the burning of residues and dry grass. This ban applies nationwide throughout the fire season, from 1 May to 31 October, and breaching it carries an administrative fine regardless of whether a fire is ultimately caused. Large administrative fines are used as a deterrent, since they are imposed immediately and do not depend on the outcome of the criminal procedure.

The Karystos case is a continuation of the fire at Komito, for which aerial resources had been mobilised. The Fire Service has announced a series of similar cases in recent days, with arrests and fines in seven areas of the country. The area burnt in the three fires in Trikala has not been announced, nor whether damage was caused to property. Nor has it become known whether the two arrested men were released after making their statements or whether restrictive conditions were imposed on them. The Arson Crime Directorate has been reinforced in recent years with additional staff and technical resources for investigating the causes of fires. The case files are expected to be heard by the competent courts of Trikala and Chalkida.