There has been little talk in the mass media about the causes of the wildfire in Varnavas in north-east Attica on Sunday that developed into an inferno of approximately 40 km within 36 hours.
Initial reports on the day the wildfire started blamed “a BBQ” with its fire gone out of control due to the strong winds. Greek “patriots” accused -as they always do – “enemies of the country” most likely “foreigners” who want to harm us. On Tuesday, there were “arson” claims of “two fires” in that area that started almost at the same time.
As there are no official announcements or even indications until now, on the third day after the wildfire in NE Attica and Athens it is more than obvious that “conspiracy theories” flourish.
However, also on Tuesday, news website in.gr revealed that it was a short circuit in an electricity pole that triggered the fiery havoc.
Citing a report by Fire Service investigators as well as search by its own reporters, in.gr pointed out that “a small damage in a ‘braid’ of cables of an electricity pole probably started the fiery conflagration in north-eastern Attica.
A short-circuit in a “braid” of electrical cables supplying power to a residence on Amalthias Street in Varnavas has cuased the wildfire, in.gr noted reporting that
- the short-circuit was caused a damaged support hook and a metal cover, has allegedly caused the catastrophic fire in northeastern Attica.
According to investigation of the competent Fire Department, as well as the relevant research of in.gr,
- the specific minor damage to the metal supports of an electricity pole probably caused a small incandescent metal part to fall to a point where there were grasses and thus started the fiery blaze that burned 100,000 acres.
The competent Fire Department received pieces of the cables and the aforementioned metal parts, while the testimony of a 76-year-old owner of the adjacent residence was also considered crucial.
The website uploaded also pictures of the pole, however, I am kind of confused as I see no fire damage or signs at the greens on the base of the pole. (or I’m kind of colour-blind…)
Meanwhile, officers investigating other parameters as well, in.gr noted without elaborating, though.
Many of us recall that the big fire in Varybobi, NW Athens, in 2021 was caused by an electricity pole.
I agree with you, KTG, that there does not seem to be any fire damage at all to the surrounding vegetation.
If, however, you look closely at the first photograph of the electricity pole there does appear to be a damaged cable. The connection to the house seems to be completely intact. It connects to the supply line to the left of the pole above the street light, crosses to the right of the pole , down to the metal pole and from there to the meter box. There is no sign of any damage. At the same height on the right of the pole is an obvious hook which seems to have a very short length of cable hanging from it and there are strands of cable hanging down from the street light. It looks like the cable that was damaged was feeding the street light not the house.