Fire at Omonia hotel: Scenes of terror from scooter explosion - Three injured, one seriously

A fire erupted at a hotel in Omonia, Athens, injuring three people, one seriously, in what preliminary investigations suggest was caused by an electric scooter. The incident occurred on the ground floor of the hotel on Dorou Street.

The seriously injured individual, a 40-year-old Iranian man, reportedly sustained severe burns while working on the scooter as it was charging, leading to an explosion and subsequent fire. The blaze spread to adjacent areas near the hotel entrance. Two other individuals were transported to hospitals: one with respiratory problems and another who sustained injuries while attempting to escape the fire.

Firefighters responded promptly, with 25 personnel and seven vehicles, including specialized equipment, working to contain the blaze. The fire was extinguished within half an hour and did not spread to other floors, although smoke caused pollution within the building. The investigative unit of the Attica Fire Department is examining the exact causes of the fire.

Hotel residents were evacuated as a precautionary measure. The incident has prompted an investigation into the safety protocols surrounding charging electric scooters, particularly in residential and commercial buildings.