A 76-year-old man confessed to accidentally starting a major wildfire near Oreokastro — a northern suburb of Thessaloniki — on Saturday afternoon, 4 June 2026. His car, now completely destroyed, has been identified as the origin point of what authorities have described as a ‘pyroclastic hell’.
Blaze Still Rages, Damage Extensive
The fire has consumed vast swaths of forestland, as well as sheds and industrial units just outside Oreokastro. Although conditions have improved significantly, flames continue to burn in some areas as firefighting efforts remain ongoing.
How the Fire Started
According to the suspect’s statement to authorities, he lost control of his vehicle while driving along a dirt road near a provincial highway. The car veered off and fell into a ravine. In his attempt to free it, he repeatedly revved the engine — generating sparks that ignited dry vegetation nearby.
Local residents quickly alerted authorities to the vehicle matching the suspect’s description. Photographs from the site show the car reduced entirely to charred metal; everything around it is ash-covered and blackened.
Arrest and Key Details
Authorities brought the man in for questioning shortly after the fire broke out — a process that escalated within hours to formal arrest. At the time of his arrest, he was reportedly intoxicated, according to official updates from the Hellenic Fire Service.
While official confirmation is still pending, all available evidence — including physical traces such as skid marks at the start of the dirt road — points to this vehicle as the ignition source of the Oreokastro inferno.
National Context: Rising Wildfire Offences
The Fire Service reported that, from the start of the year through the early hours of 5 July, there have been 158 arrests related to wildfires nationwide. Of those, 145 cases involved fires caused by negligence. Additionally, 516 administrative fines have been issued, totaling over €629,000.