(27 Aug 2007) EM4539
HEADLINE: Greek fires 'No coincidence'
CAPTION: Four days of devastating blazes in Greece has claimed more than 63 lives and is threatening dozens of villages and farmland. The government says the destruction could be part of an orchestrated campaign of arson. Residents say it might be terrorism-related. (Aug. 27) 2007
[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE]
[Notes:Shots of flames]
There is a desperate race to evacuate residents of more than two dozen villages in Greece.
The areas are surrounded by towering walls of flames are destroying forests, farmland and villages throughout Greece.
[Notes:Graphic of map]
The blazes are spreading from the northern border with Albania to the southern island of Crete ... burning in more than half of the country.
[Notes:Residents battling flames]
But the inferno is also sparking strong criticism from residents.
They're questioning the government's response ...saying officials did not react quickly enough.
[Notes:Nats prime minister]
On Saturday the prime minister said it's NO coincidence so many fires broke out simultaneously in so many areas of the country.
The government believes the fires were intentionally set and several people have been arrested.
[Notes:Helicopters and planes dropping water]
Meanwhile, helicopters and airplanes continue to drop water on villages to try to beat back the dozens of fires burning out of control.
[Notes:Residents and fire shots]
Residents used garden hoses and buckets in desperate attempts to beat back flames and save their homes and livelihoods.
The fires mark Greece's worst wildfire disaster in memory.
STORYLINE
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
