Fire at historic Loutraki Palace hotel extinguished; two minors apprehended

A fire at the historic, abandoned Loutraki Palace hotel in Loutraki, Greece, caused alarm and a large-scale emergency response on Wednesday evening.

The blaze erupted around 7:30 p.m., prompting an immediate mobilization of strong firefighting forces, supported by volunteer associations from the area. Initial concerns arose from reports that up to four minors might have been inside the derelict building. Firefighters, equipped with breathing apparatus and specialized gear, conducted a thorough search of all areas.

Fortunately, no individuals were found trapped inside the hotel, averting a potential tragedy. Ambulance services were also present at the scene, ready to respond to any injuries. The fire was brought under control and extinguished relatively quickly, with firefighting operations continuing until around 10:00 p.m. to ensure no one was left inside and to check for any rekindling.

Following the incident, two minors were taken to the Loutraki police station for questioning as part of the preliminary investigation into the fire's origins. Authorities are exploring all possibilities regarding the cause of the blaze, and the investigation is ongoing.