Greek fires reach site of ancient Olympics; at least 60 killed

ANCIENT OLYMPIA (AP): Firefighting planes took off atfirst light Monday, targeting dozens of fires blazing across Greece, a day after a massive effort prevented the birthplace of the Olympics from being devastated by the flames.

At least 60 people were killed by the country's worst wildfires in living memory. New blazes broke out faster than others could be brought under control, and through the night, more fires started.

From Evros in the northeast, to the Ionian islands of Kefalonia and Corfu and down to the southern Peloponnese, vast swathes of the country had been laid to waste. The flames, which began on Friday,left behind them a charred landscape dotted with gutted homes, charred cars and the carcasses of burned animals.

"Fires are burning in more than half the country," fire department spokesman Nikos Diamandis said Sunday. "This is definitely an unprecedented disaster for Greece."

Desperate residents appealed through television stations for help from a firefighting service already stretched to the limit and anger mounted, with many blaming authorities for leaving them defenseless.Scores of people were treated in hospitals for burns and breathing problems. The government declared a state of emergency on Saturday.

Authorities have suggested arson caused many of the blazes, and several people had been arrested. The government offered a reward of up to euro1 million (US$1.4 million) for anyone providing informationthat would lead to the arrest of an arsonist.

Forest fires are common during Greece's hot, dry summers - but nothing has approached the scale of the last three days. Arson is often suspected, mostly to clear land for development. No construction is allowed in Greece in areas designated as forestland, and fires could be set to circumvent the law by disputing the status of the area.

Flames which firefighters said at times leaped 100 meters into the air reached Ancient Olympia in southern Greece on Sunday, burning trees and shrubs just a few meters from the walls of the museum at the 2,800-year-old site, one of Greece's top tourist attractions. (***)