Fire crews tackle major blaze near to Athens

A major fire south of the Greek capital is raging for the second day, with gale-force winds hampering firefighting efforts.

More than 150 firefighters and soldiers using more than 60 vehicles were battling the blaze south of Athens, along with two water-dropping planes and a helicopter.

Greece has also asked Italy, France and Croatia for help in the form of more firefighting planes.

Three firefighters were injured. Four people have been arrested for accidentally causing the blaze during welding work at a construction site.

By last night, the fire was raging on a 7.5-mile front to the west and south of the town of Keratea, 30 miles south of Athens.

The blazes were being fought as Greeks voted in a national election that could determine whether their indebted nation stays in the euro.

AP