Major fire developing near Athens

(NECN/MEGA TV) – Greek authorities said on Saturday that a major wildfire fanned by gale-force winds is burning out of control in the northeast of Athens. Firefighters say the fire, near Marathon, 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of Athens, broke out in the early hours of Saturday and is still developing. Nine special airplanes, five helicopters and 35 ground vehicles are trying to contain the fire, which is burning forest, brush and farmland. Witnesses said the fire is now racing toward the town of Marathon. Flames have reached houses in the nearby villages of Grammatiko and Varnavas, but no casualties have been reported as of Saturday noon (0900 GMT). Greek broadcaster Metro TV showed the forest fires approaching homes and an elderly man had to be rescued from the roof of his house while another lady was carried from her property by a fire officer.