Forest fire nears Athens

By George Hatzidakis

ATHENS (Reuters) - The worst forest fire in more than a decade threatened Athens on Friday, as fire crews, troops and volunteers fought hundreds of blazes raging throughout Greece.

A major fire that began in a forest north of the capital had already destroyed the capital's last vestiges of greenery.

Thick smoke hung over Athens skyline, blocking out the summer sky. Ash lay everywhere, on cars and in the streets, a result of the destruction of the last major forest near the city.

"This reminds me of the last day of Pompeii," said Natalia Giannaki an Athens resident on her way to work, clasping a handkerchief to her mouth.

Hundreds of firefighters, volunteers and about 300 soldiers were drafted to fight the most serious fires on Mount Parnitha, about 25 km (16 miles) north of the capital.

Police estimated that about 2,500 hectares (6,000 acres) of forest had so far been destroyed, including parts of the Parnitha National Park.

The fires were the worst to hit Athens since the five-day Mount Penteli blaze in July 1995. The mountain north of Athens, formerly covered by forest, has yet to recover fully.

Eight planes, two helicopters and more than 50 fire engines were also combating the blaze on three fronts.