In a bizarre case from Tripoli, Greece, a woman has been accused of setting fires just to catch a glimpse of firefighters. She was arrested on August 26 and sentenced to three years in prison along with a $1,111 fine on August 30, as reported by Greek Reporter.
The woman ignited blazes in two agricultural areas near Tripoli, prompting a swift response from local fire crews. Suspicious of her presence at both locations, the firefighters questioned her, during which she admitted her motives were purely social—she wanted to flirt with the firefighters as they battled the flames.
According to a local TV report by SKAI, she wasn’t targeting any specific person but felt that this was a casual way to meet someone in uniform.
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The situation escalated quickly as the fires were dangerously close to homes, and many people gathered to witness the chaos, making the firefighters’ job even more challenging. In Greece, igniting wildfires—intentional or not—is a serious offense, emphasized by the Minister for Climate Crisis, Vassilis Kikilias, amid ongoing extreme wildfire seasons.
Currently, Greece is grappling with severe drought conditions that exacerbate the wildfire threats. Just weeks ago, firefighters were confronting one of the country’s worst wildfires in recent history near Athens, which necessitated the evacuation of nearby suburbs and even hospitals. International assistance was sought to help contain the devastation.
Compounding the issue, prolonged droughts have not only made wildfires more prevalent but have also depleted water reservoirs, including the vital Mornos dam that serves Athens. Reports from the BBC indicate that the water levels have fallen dramatically, unveiling submerged homes from the past.
As of 2024, extensive regions of continental Europe have been experiencing drought conditions significantly above average, according to data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service.