Ancient Olympia Spared From Raging Fires

Firefighters Save Birthplace Of Ancient Games As Death Toll Rises To 60 In Greece

(CBS/AP)  Firefighters backed by aircraft prevented the birthplace of the ancient Olympics from being consumed by flames Sunday as Greece's worst wildfires in memory blazed across the country and the death toll climbed to 60.

New fires broke out faster than others could be brought under control, with 63 new blazes on Sunday. Walls of flames have swallowed villages, forests and farmland over three days, leaving behind a charred landscape dotted with the carcasses of burned animals. The government declared a state of emergency on Saturday.

"Fires are burning in more than half the country," said fire department spokesman Nikos Diamandis. "This is definitely an unprecedented disaster for Greece."

Fire crews sounded church bells and used bullhorns to warn people to leave threatened areas, reports CBS News correspondent Sheila MacVicar.

Desperate residents appealed through television stations for help from a firefighting service already stretched to the limit and many blamed authorities for leaving them defenseless.

Authorities have suggested arson caused many of the blazes, and several people had been arrested. The government offered a reward of up to $1.4 million for anyone providing information that would lead to the arrest of an arsonist.

Forest fires are common during Greece's hot, dry summers — but nothing has approached the scale of the last three days. Arson is often suspected, mostly to clear land for development. No construction is allowed in Greece in areas designated as forest land, and fires could be set to circumvent the law by disputing the status of the area.

On Sunday, the front of one fire reached Ancient Olympia in southern Greece, burning trees and shrubs just a few yards away from the museum at the site.

Ruined temples of Zeus, king of the ancient Greek gods, and his wife, Hera, stand on what was a lush riverside site — a flat stretch of land surrounded by pine-clad hills — near the stadium that hosted the ancient Olympic games for more than 1,000 years after they started in 776 B.C. The site strewn with fallen columns includes the remains of a gymnasium, a wrestling hall, hostels, bathhouses, priests' residences and altars. The 5th century B.C. limestone temple of Zeus is one of the largest in mainland Greece.

Helicopters and aircraft covered the ruins with water and foam. The flames reached the edge of the ancient stadium, searing the grass and incinerating the trees on the hill above. Volunteers grabbed buckets of water and joined firefighters.

"Firefighters fought a battle in Ancient Olympia, which was won," said fire department spokesman Nikos Diamandis.

[tnt1954]

olympic torches. pyros are always a major
problem. they are very plentiful in california.
they have to be watched very closely by the
arson squads. a fireman''s work is never done.
god bless the firemen. they give their
all to bring ice water to people in hell.
thanks people.

[glaswolf]

We had jokes about a one stop service after a partime fireman was rumored to have started over 100 fires, here in North Calif. I have heard of Oregon firefighters starting fires when they needed money. A Chieftain from the south was arrested after it was found his publicized insights were due to his actions more than a gifted abstract understanding. Arson is a communist crime because it is classless ... fire cares not who we be! All classes are damaged indifferently. We owe much to ancient Greece. Save her.

[nothappyatall]

"and many blamed authorities for leaving them defenseless. "

WHy don''t the start with themselves first for the blame? building houses in dense brush and forests, not clearing flammable dead grass, weeds, tressh and brush from a perimeter around their homes, building homes on the side of steep hills that slide during heavy rains, on the beach where hurricanes frequently hit etc- you know- same old story in Californicate.
You build your house inside a gas can full of gas and then have the audacity to complain your house was damaged and that the GOVT didn''t do enough!
Riht, the Govt didn''t doenough to forbid building on slopes of unstable hills, on the beach, beside rivers that flood, and didn''t do enough to require you homeowners to CLEAN UP and remove brush and flammable vegetation from a perimeter around your house.

[oakishpines]

'' ... the quest for olympic wheelchairs should be renamed the quest for olympic golds ... ''