The Greek city of Patras is currently grappling with a fierce firefighting effort as multiple active fronts threaten residential areas and critical facilities. Firefighters are engaged in a challenging battle to contain the blazes that erupted earlier today.
Reports from the fire department, as cited by iEidiseis, indicate that the situation remains fluid, with scattered fires rather than a singular unified front posing challenges to containment efforts.
Ninety-five firefighters, supported by four foot patrol teams and 25 vehicles, are at the forefront of the operation. Aerial support is crucial, with four aircraft and six helicopters deployed, one of which acts as a central coordinating hub.
Earlier, the “Karamandanio” Children’s Hospital was evacuated due to the encroaching flames near the Gerokomeio area. Young patients were safely relocated to the nearby “Agios Andreas” general hospital.
The fire also posed a significant threat to Patras’ second-largest hospital, Karamandanio, prompting urgent measures to protect the facility. According to Yiannis Karvelis, director of the 6th Health Region, the fire came dangerously close to the hospital premises, reaching as high as the third floor.
In addition to the hospitals, other institutions in the area, such as the “Konstantopouleio” nursing home and the therapeutic pedagogical center “Merimna,” were also evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Authorities have issued new alerts via emergency services to residents in the Gerokomeio, Aroi, and Pagona neighborhoods, urging them to remain vigilant and follow safety instructions.
The ongoing firefighting efforts underscore the challenges posed by wildfires in urban settings, highlighting the resilience and coordination of emergency response teams in Patras.
