A major blaze was threatening houses at Keratea and Palea Fokea in southeastern Attica on Saturday evening, as the receding light increased the challenge for the fire fighters who had not yet managed to put it under control.

Gale-force winds fanned a fire that reportedly started at the Drosia area of Keratea just before noon and has been spreading southward to Palea Fokea and Anavyssos, close to the Saronic coast of Attica, according to Lavreotiki Mayor Constantinos Levantis.

Petros Filippou, the mayor of Saronicos municipality, told Skai radio that the area between Palea Fokea and Lavreotiki has been burnt out.

Two firefighters have been injured, while the strong winds have prevented the use of airplanes as they are unable to take water from the choppy sea in the afternoon. Later four aircraft and one helicopter managed to assist the land forces.

Authorities evacuated several houses, with the blaze reportedly passing through their yards without having destroyed any structures as yet. An old people's home was also evacuated.

Other wildfires in areas of Attica, such as Pallini, Drafi and Kalamos were relatively quickly put under control.