Ancient Olympia Spared From Raging Fires

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

(CBS/AP)  Although the pristine forest around the site was burned, none of the ruins were damaged.

Culture Minister George Voulgarakis told The Associated Press at the site.

Firefighters remained in the area after dark to ensure the fire did not re-ignite.

But across the country, thousands of hectares burned. By sea and by land, hundreds of people were evacuated from villages, hotels and resorts.

The destruction has riled Greeks — already stunned by deadly forest fires in June and July — and looks set to dominate political debate ahead of national elections scheduled for Sept. 16.

"I am very angry. The government was totally unable to deal with this situation," Ancient Olympia schoolteacher Gerassimos Kaproulias said. "Nobody thought that one of the five most highly protected areas in Greece could be burned like this."

The worst of the fires have been concentrated in the mountains of the Peloponnese in the south, near the town of Zaharo, and on the island of Evia north of Athens. Strong winds blew smoke and ash over the capital, blackening the evening sky and turning the rising moon red.

"It's hell everywhere," said Costas Ladas, a resident of Kolyri near Ancient Olympia, who said the fire covered 2 kilometers in three minutes. "I've never seen anything like it."

In the ravaged mountain villages in the Peloponnese, rescue crews found a grim scene that spoke of last-minute desperation as the fires closed in. Dozens of charred bodies have been found across fields, homes, along roads and in cars. The remains of a mother hugging her four children were found near the town of Zaharo in the western Peloponnese, where the country's largest fire has been burning.

Four people were killed in a new fire that broke out on Evia on Sunday, including two firefighters, the fire department said. Another two people were found in villages in the Peloponnese.

New fires also broke out Sunday in the central region of Fthiotida — one of the few areas that had been unscathed, Diamandis said.

Across the country, churchgoers prayed for the blazes to abate.

Nearly 4,000 soldiers, backed by military helicopters, were sent to reinforce firefighters over the past three days, and at least 12 countries were sending aid. Scores of people were treated in hospitals for burns and breathing problems.

The government has declared a nationwide state of emergency, announced Sunday it would offer up to $13,600 to people who lost relatives or property.

[oakishpines]

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

[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.

[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.

[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.