A 35-year-old Israeli tourist was arrested in Crete on Saturday on suspicion of causing a brush and forest fire after lighting a barbecue at a rented vacation villa despite an explicit prohibition. He is expected to be brought before a judge in Rethymno today for a hearing on extending his detention.
According to reports in the Greek media, the fire broke out on Friday at 7:11 p.m. in the area of the village of Sellia, near the resort town of Plakias, within the municipality of Agios Vasileios in the southern part of the Rethymno regional unit. According to the reports, findings by the Greek Fire Service's arson investigation unit indicated that the fire originated in the yard of the vacation villa where a group of Israeli tourists was staying.
The tourists are suspected of holding a barbecue despite strong winds and severe warnings. According to the reports, the owner of the villa had warned the guests upon their arrival that, due to the high fire risk, the use of a barbecue was strictly prohibited in the area. The instructions were also provided to them in writing.
Despite the warnings, the group allegedly decided to light the grill. Sparks carried by the wind ignited the dry vegetation, and the fire quickly spread toward the surrounding open area.
More than 60 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, along with three special wildfire-fighting units and dozens of vehicles. Firefighting helicopters, water tankers, and volunteers also took part in efforts to extinguish the blaze.
Greece's national 112 emergency system sent alerts to residents and ordered the precautionary evacuation of the communities of Fotinari and Souda.
Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control only after approximately four hours.