Aryanews- Greece has called a state of emergency as wildfires advance to 12 miles from city center, destroying houses and forest.
The raging wildfires have destroyed homes of ten thousands of people, forcing them to flee.
Police has asked the inhabitants of Agios Stefano, about 12 miles north of the city center to evacuate the area as flames closed in.
Thousands of houses were destroyed despite the residents' desperate intents to save them, using hoses, buckets and branches. Planes swooped low to pour water on the fires.
By mid-afternoon, the town was empty save for a few volunteers aiding firefighters. Houses smouldered and burned-out cars littered the streets. Anti-aircraft missiles at a nearby base were removed as flames approached, the army said.
The blow of strong wings has made controlling the fire difficult since it helps the fire in changing direction, says the fire brigade spokesman, Giannis Kapakis.
A state of emergency was declared in greater Athens after the worst destruction since fires struck southern Greece in 2007, killing more than 70 people.
According to officials Greece has witnessed the start of more than 70 fires within the last 24 hours. The fires broke out late on Friday and developed overnight, fed by gale-force winds that repeatedly shifted direction.
