
FT.com – Scores die as Greek fires rage
More than 30 forest fires raged out of control across southern Greece for a third day on Sunday, forcing the evacuation of dozens of villages and threatening ancient Olympia, site of the first Olympic Games.The death toll reached 58 and was expected to rise as firefighters reached isolated mountain settlements in the western Peloponnese, the hardest-hit region. Most victims died trying to protect their homes or were trapped in cars as they fled from the blaze, police said.
Arson is suspected in a number of these fires. Apparently, unscrupulous developers who wish to develop forested land set it ablaze hoping that once all the trees are gone the land will be re-classified and opened up to new development.
Devious and deadly in this case.
4 users commented in " Greece fire… "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackWow. Having been driven from my house by a forest fire, I can understand how the home owners must feel. Luckily the firefighters reigned in the flames before they destroyed any homes in our neighborhood, but I’ll never forget the sheriff’s car going up and down the neighborhood with his bullhorn telling us we had to leave in 30 minutes.
I actually think that is an exercise that anyone would learn from though. It’s quite surprising what you end up putting in your car under such circumstances. And what you don’t.
CC: Yes, it would be interesting if I were told to evacuate…What would I put in the car? Good food for thought there.
I am sure that I would put Mrs. Andy in the car…at least two of the kids…my yellow lab Sadie…my 45 (and I guess the old SW 32 just in case)…my emergency radio, and chocolate bar/canned beans/water supply…my flashlights, duct tape, and dry socks…one of the family albums…and my Bible. Oh…and the extra gas can that I keep.
Good food for thought. Thanks for raising the question.
Andy:
Yeah, but what about your big screen plasma TV?
CC: Darn!…I knew I forgot something…
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