26 Aug 2009

Fires now out in Greece

4:31 pm on 26 August 2009

Fire fighters in Greece have claimed victory over a huge wildfire on the outskirts of the capital, Athens, for four days.

The fire department says all the fires in Greece are out, but crews remain ready to respond to any possible resurgence of the flames.

More than 500 firefighters were deployed north and northeast of Athens, where the fire burned more than 20,000 hectares and destroyed scores of homes.

At least two people were injured.

The government has been facing criticism for failing to prevent the disaster. In 2007, fires killed 77 people.