Greek Fires Probed; Toll Hits 61

Flames kill 51; international help on the way

(NEWSER) - Greece is under a state of emergency as rampant fires continue to torch villages and threaten the vicinity of historic Olympia, Reuters reports. At least 51 are dead and thousands have fled their homes from a swath of flame that spread over 100 miles. PM Costas Karamanlis blames arsonists, and two individuals have been arrested so far. More»

Arson suspected as country burns in 100-degree heat

(NEWSER) - Forest fires raged uncontrolled across southern Greece for a second day today as the death toll from the blaze reached 41, including some children. Authorities suspect arsonists are to blame for at least some of the 170 fires, many of which have started after dark and away from other burning areas, the AP reports. Greece's PM is chairing an emergency meeting today. More»

Bracing for worsening conditions, officials struggle to tame blazes

(NEWSER) - Dozens of wildfires are raging across Greece today, forcing villagers to flee and threatening to scorch ancient landmarks, the BBC reports. Fanned by gale-force winds, the flames are also creeping up on the nation's capital, where one suburb has already received evacuation orders, the AP reports. "The coming night will be especially difficult," a fire brigade spokesman said. More»

He's accused of lighting a fire that killed 21 people

(NEWSER) - The first suspect to be charged in one of the Australian blazes that killed as many as 300 people has been identified as a 39-year-old volunteer firefighter, reports the Times of London. He's accused of igniting a fire that killed 21 people 100 miles east of Melbourne. The suspect's identity had not been released earlier due to fears for his safety. Officials suspect at least one other case of arson in the fires that seared through thousands of acres. More»

(AP) - Police in Australia said they have questioned two people in connection to the raging wildfires that have killed more than 180 people in the state of Victoria. Police declined to say whether the two had been arrested or even detained, and released a statement that described them as "assisting police with their inquiries." Detectives responding to a tip found the men near Yea, a town destroyed by an inferno Saturday that killed up to 100 people. More»