Two individuals — a 34-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy — have been arrested in connection with a wildfire that broke out in Oinousses, a rural area in the Serres region of northern Greece. According to preliminary findings by specialized units of the Hellenic Fire Service, the fire was caused by sparks generated when their vehicle veered off the road and struck the ground while traveling through uneven terrain.
How the Fire Started
The incident occurred as the two occupants were driving off-road in an agricultural zone. When the car hit the ground on rough terrain, it produced sparks that ignited dry vegetation. The flames spread rapidly across adjacent farmland, prompting a large-scale emergency response from firefighting crews.
Firefighters managed to contain the blaze’s front line, while investigators launched an immediate inquiry into its cause. That probe led to the identification of the two suspects as responsible for the incident. A criminal file has been compiled against them, and they have been brought before the local public prosecutor for formal proceedings under Greece’s ‘in flagrante delicto’ (caught in the act) legal framework.
Broader Context: Rising Enforcement During Fire Season
This case is part of a growing number of fire-related incidents recorded since the start of this year’s anti-wildfire season. According to official data from the Hellenic Fire Service, between 1 January and 10 July 2026, authorities have issued 551 administrative fines totaling €715,085.08 and carried out 176 arrests. Of those, 162 arrests relate to fires caused by negligence, and 14 involve intentional arson.
The Directorate for Combating Arson Crimes continues intensive nationwide inspections, aiming to investigate every fire swiftly and assign responsibility where violations are found. Investigative units of the Fire Service remain on high alert throughout the fire season.
The Fire Service reiterated that human negligence remains the leading cause of wildfires in Greece. It urges citizens to exercise extreme caution — avoiding actions that could generate sparks or ignite flames — and to strictly follow all prescribed fire safety measures to protect lives, property, and the natural environment.