Athens firefighters last night were battling a large blaze that broke out in a newly built commercial block on Pireos Street in a bid to avert it from spreading to neighboring factories and apartment blocks. The firemen’s job was made more difficult as the blaze was fueled by flammable materials on the site, including wood. The fire was said to have been partially contained by late last night without any injuries or damage to adjacent buildings.

The main hospital in the Peloponnesian town of Corinth yesterday suspended a doctor who allegedly delivered a baby while in a state of inebriation. It was unclear whether there had been any complications during the birth. However, hospital directors deemed that the doctor, who was not identified, had put the mother and her child at risk. Both were said to be doing well yesterday.

Two Greek-owned cargo ships evaded pirate attacks off Somalia yesterday, the Merchant Marine Ministry said yesterday. The first vessel avoided an attack shortly before 4 a.m. in the Gulf of Aden with the help of a ship and helicopter from the EU’s Atlanta anti-piracy mission, the ministry said. Three hours later, the crew aboard the second boat pushed back pirates in the same region, it said. Several Greek-owned cargo ships have been attacked by pirates off the coast of the east African country this year.

Police in Thessaloniki yesterday detained three Albanian nationals believed to be members of a large drug-trading ring after discovering 3 kilos of cannabis and 2.5 kilos of heroin in their possession. Officers also confiscated a set of scales and a car that the suspects are believed to have used to make deliveries.

Port Authority officials on Lesvos yesterday detained a total of 25 illegal immigrants who had reached the island from neighboring Turkey in a rowboat, the Merchant Marine Ministry said. Meanwhile, authorities at the port of Patras, Greece’s gateway to Western Europe, said they had stopped four migrants trying to board a ferry to Italy.

Two Greek men, aged 20 and 24, were being questioned in Thessaloniki yesterday in connection with two violent muggings in the city center. The suspects are alleged to have used knives to threaten passers-by into handing over their cash and cell phones. One of the victims was reportedly forced to give up his jacket along with the other valuables.

Prefectural officials in Piraeus yesterday confiscated more than 40 tons of food deemed to be unfit for human consumption following a series of surprise inspections on warehouses in the area. The confiscated food, which is to be destroyed, included meat and seafood.