A major fire engulfed a venue in the Nea Ionia area of Athens, causing extensive property damage and alarming residents of a multi-storey apartment building.
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The flames broke out inside the business, which is on the ground floor of the building, and spread quickly. The venue suffered severe damage and was almost completely destroyed.
The situation worsened as thick smoke filled the building and the flames spread, forcing residents to evacuate. Firefighters helped people leave their apartments, while some residents trapped by the smoke climbed to the rooftop and were later rescued by emergency crews.
Three apartments above the venue were also damaged. Footage from the scene shows powerful flames engulfing the building.
Residents said they heard explosions before the fire spread. Greek authorities are examining their accounts as part of the investigation into the cause of the incident.
The official cause of the fire has not yet been determined. However, preliminary findings have led Greek police to suspect that it may have been deliberately set.
Investigators have begun collecting and analyzing evidence at the scene. Forensic examinations are expected to establish how the fire started and whether it was the result of deliberate action.
The venue is the same place where 37-year-old Albanian Pëllumb Islami was shot dead on February 22, 2023.
Islami’s killing at the venue shocked the Albanian community in Greece at the time.
Greek authorities have not yet said whether today’s fire is connected to Pëllumb Islami’s killing. A possible link between the two incidents remains under investigation and has not been officially confirmed.
Greek police and investigative teams are examining the evidence found to determine whether the fire was accidental or the result of arson.
The investigation will also seek to clarify the explosions reported by residents and how the flames spread through the building. Authorities continue to work to establish the full facts of the case, and no possibility has been ruled out.
