Forest Fires Destroy Scores Of Buildings

Forest fires fueled by gale-force winds burned out of control Friday in the mountains northeast of Athens, destroying nearly 200 buildings and threatening one of the capital’s few remaining wooded areas.

More than 300 firefighters, assisted by soldiers, were trying to contain the blazes around Mount Pendelikon. A few firefighters were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.

Winds of 46 mph initially prevented firefighting planes from battling the flames, but they were brought in later.