There is no active front in the big fire that broke out today, Tuesday, in the morning in the Naustathmos area of Souda, Chania.
Firefighters operating in the area managed within two hours to limit the front of the fire, while, according to information, at the moment only small outbreaks are being dealt with within the burnt area.
It is noted that no damage to infrastructure and residences has been recorded. It is recalled that after the fire broke out, “112” was called to evacuate the settlement of Naustathmos.
At this time, the Authorities are still on alert as the winds are blowing strong near 8 Beaufort.
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As for the evacuation of the hospital, it was carried out as a precaution and partially, while, given that its facilities were not threatened, patients and staff returned.
The children from the kindergarten in Souda had earlier been safely transported to a stadium, as provided for in the plan in case of fire, and have been collected by their parents.
It is recalled that earlier, as a precaution, all the facilities that have to do with the personnel were evacuated, that is, the facilities of the primary school, the Naval Hospital and the Non-Commissioned Officers’ Club.
In particular, the evacuation of the school buildings of the A’ and C’ Kindergarten of Souda, the 1st Primary School and 1st Kindergarten of Souda, the 2nd Primary and 2nd Kindergarten of Souda, as well as the Gymnasium and Lyceum of Souda, for preventive reasons, was decided by the mayor of Chania , Panagiotis Simandirakis.
It is noted, however, that all the forces of the Fire Department continue and operate.
In particular, there are 79 firefighters, 5 groups of pedestrian departments and 22 vehicles in the area, while a helicopter is also operating from the air.
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Forces provided by the Navy of the Naval Station, volunteers as well as water tankers from OTAs contributed to extinguishing the fire.
According to the deputy regional governor of Chania Civil Protection Giorgos Tsapakos, due to the fire the start of the 2nd phase of the MINOAS exercise which would have started this morning in Chania and Rethymno will be delayed.
In the meantime, agencies, school units and services that are going to participate in all scenarios of the MINOAS exercise are awaiting relevant orders, but, as the deputy governor mentioned, everything will depend on the progress of the fire.
What does GEN say?
In an update, the General Staff of the Navy states the following:
“It is reported that at 08:10 on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, a fire started in vegetation outside the Naustathmos area of Crete (NK). Due to the strong intensity and direction of the winds, the fire entered the eastern end of the NK settlement, which is outside military installations.
The area was cordoned off and the settlement, the school and the Naval Hospital of Crete were evacuated as a precaution.
The incident was attended by all the means of the Fire Department of NK and the Fire Department of Chania, “Deucalion” teams of the Armed Forces and aerial vehicles from the National Coordination Center for Operations and Crisis Management (ESKEDIK).
Lt. Gen. Michail Klouvas, commander of the newly established Construction Administration for Natural Disaster Response (DIKAFKA), is in the area, while the Tanker of the PN remains on standby in the NK for assistance in case it is required.
The situation is improving. Currently, no material damage has been reported and there is no danger to military installations and critical infrastructure of the NK.”