Wildfire fanned by gales menaces Athens suburbs as residents flee

Greece's worst wildfire this year spread into the Athens suburbs on Monday, forcing hundreds of people to flee as it torched trees, homes and cars overnight and choked busy roads with smoke and ash.

The government has called in help from fellow EU members to tackle the fire that is burning out of control for a second day, fanned by gale force winds and having spread from the wooded hills north of the city.

Firefighters said flames, threatening apartment blocks, schools and parks, had reached the deepest into the capital for more than two decades.

Almost 700 firefighters backed by volunteers, 190 fire engines and 33 waterbombing aircraft have been battling the conflagration that broke out at 3 p.m. on Sunday near the village of Varnavas 35 km (20 miles) north of Athens.

Greece has activated the European Civil protection mechanism and is expecting...