



A hailstorm in Athens on Tuesday gave hope to firemen battling at two fronts to keep the fire at Dervenohoria, northwest of Athens, under control. The fire, raging out of control since Saturday, has swallowed an estimated 1,200 acres of pine forest in a mountainous area, with erratic winds defeating firefighters and army conscripts.

On Tuesday, 250 firefighters, soldiers and volunteers battled with flames along with six planes and four helicopters as well as water tank trucks and earthmovers to help keep residential areas safe.

The storm that wreaked havoc in Athens gave hope to the firefighters struggling to keep the flames under control. The Canadair jets and helicopters departed letting nature take its course. Winds on Tuesday were also weaker than in the previous days allowing firefighters to keep the fire under control.



