A fireman paid with his life his devotion to duty. Konstantinos Kastris, 49, the commander of Fire Brigades on Gytheio found tragic death in a blaze at Vathi area of Mani, in South Peloponnese. Kastris was inspecting the blaze and sent his driver to get additional aid as the fire was getting stronger. When the driver returned, he found Kastris dead, lying on the ground with burnings all over his body. A forensic examination will reveal the exact cause of the death.
UPDATE: Aug 23/11: According to forensic results, the unlucky fireman was burned to death. He was most probably surrounded and trapped by the flames.
Currently there are 20 firefighters, 8 vehicles and 4 aircraft trying to extinguish the fire. In Greece, wildfires burn down thousands of acres of land every year. Strong winds (meltemi) reaching even 8 Beaufort have been blowing in recent days, setting the fire brigades in red alert. Often the wildfires are the work of arsonists.
PS I was in Vathi at the beginning of July. A green, fertile area 12 kl west from Gytheio, just kilometers away from the arid and rocky Mani.
Tragic. He was just doing his job. Many condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
We all love firemen. Thank you, Marilyn!
This is tragic news. My sympathies to Konstantino’s family and friends. This was a heroic death and I hope this soothes their plain a little bit.
It is indeed a shock. He is from Anogia, close to where I live. Heard the sad news over telephone while driving back from a wonderful Panagiri in the middle of Parnonas. While we were there we saw firefighter planes coming back to Tripolis. Never imagined that they were coming back from this tragedy.
There also came the message that another firefighter died there. But luckely he ‘just’ lost concienceness for a wile.
These people risk their life every year for us. And what makes me mad are two things. They are payed way to little and the seasonal contracters will next year not be hired again because of… well who cares. They will not be there. And second: on local television they found some evidence of arson. And this is also nothing new. Every time it burns somewhere, roads are build and house spring up. And now it cost the life of a father, a son, a husband, a human being. And he won’t be the last… Tomorrow evening will be the funeral and it will be very busy in Anogia. 🙁
I can very well imagine the shock and the deep mourning in the area, Antonis.