Exclusive Video Shows Woman Allegedly Starting Fire in Isthmia Amid High Risk

Exclusive video footage obtained by TA NEA shows the moment a 57-year-old woman allegedly set fire to dry grass in Isthmia, Corinthia, Greece, on Sunday. The incident occurred on a day when the country was under a very high fire risk alert due to intense drought and strong winds.

The video captures the woman walking with her dog before stopping near dry vegetation. She appears to use an open flame, possibly from a lighter or matches, to ignite the grass. Within seconds, the flames spread rapidly. The quick reaction of residents from a nearby house proved crucial; they noticed the fire almost immediately, alerted the Fire Service without delay, and thus prevented a potentially much larger catastrophe.

Officials from the Directorate for Combating Arson Crimes (DAEE) quickly identified and arrested the 57-year-old woman on suspicion of arson. According to reliable sources, the woman offered several different accounts for her presence at the location. Initially, she claimed to be searching for a dropped personal item, her hearing aid. She then stated she stopped to remove a thorn from her dog's leg, and later mentioned a tick.

Authorities are examining her statements as she is expected to appear before a prosecutor. The case is being treated with particular seriousness due to the high fire risk conditions. Starting a fire under such circumstances, especially when it poses a serious threat to forest areas, property, or human lives, can be classified as a felony offense. This year alone, authorities have issued 489 administrative fines totaling approximately 500,000 euros and made 134 arrests for fires, with 94% attributed to negligence and 6% investigated as intentional.