A thick, black toxic smoke has covered parts of the sky in north-western Athens after a fire in a plastics recycling plant broke out on Saturday morning. The plant is located in the suburb of Metamorfosi.
Από την σημερινή πυρκαγιά στην #μεταμορφωση pic.twitter.com/8J4fZO7kUm
— Thanos (@Thanos278) August 15, 2020
With text messages oin mobile phones, the Civil Protection advised residents of Metamorfosi and neighboring suburbs in north-western Athens to shut windows and doors and avoid unnecessary movement. Reason for the messages sent early Saturday afternoon is the thick black toxic smoke from the large fire in a plastics recycling plant. The messages urged further those filling ill to immediately get in contact with doctors.
The fire broke out around 8 o’ clock in the morning and has not be taken under control yet.
Από την σημερινή πυρκαγιά στην #μεταμορφωση pic.twitter.com/8J4fZO7kUm
— Thanos (@Thanos278) August 15, 2020
Dozens of firefighters and aerial means are operating in the blaze area, however, strong winds do not facilitate their work. So far, they have been unable to enter the plant as the fire had caused static problems.
There are no reports about injuries or fatalities.
Highway leading north of Athens is closed due to a fire in a plastic recycling factory. #Greece pic.twitter.com/GbbZaPKtzQ
— Savvas Karmaniolas (@savvaskarma) August 15, 2020
Short after 3 pm, authorities partially reopened the Athens-Lamia national highway to traffic which they had closed earlier due to the smoke.
The wind has brought the smoke to the south, down to the center of Athens.
The atmosphere in the suburbs on the smoke course is suffocating.
