Hundreds flee Greek wildfires as Europe bakes in heatwave

HUNDREDS of people were fleeing wildfires in Greece today as extreme temperatures and strong winds hindered efforts to tackle the blazes.

- Daniel Keane

Dozens of homes were gutted by fire in two towns west of Athens as fire brigades battled a third blaze on the island of Rhodes last night.

Greek media reported that the fire broke out in a forest area between the villages of Apollonas and Laerma.

Four aircraft sent from Italy and France were set to join firefighting efforts later today. Air water bombers were continuing to douse flames after wildfires burned for a third day in the towns of Mandra, west of the capital, and Loutraki, close to the Corinth cana.