- A major wildfire broke out on Friday evening, August 14, in Sellia, Rethymno, rapidly spreading toward Plakias due to 6-7 Beaufort winds.
- Authorities suspect the fire started from a BBQ at a rented villa. Guests had reportedly received both verbal and written warnings Over 60 firefighters, 3 ground teams, 3 helicopters, and local volunteers battled the blaze. Precautionary evacuations were issued via 112 for Fotinari and Souda.
- One person has been arrested. The villa’s owner has issued a profound public apology, pledging full support to the affected community.
Friday evening, August 14, brought a nightmare scenario to the village of Sellia. What began as a localized fire in an agro-forested area quickly escalated into a massive front, driven by fierce winds reaching 6 to 7 Beaufort. Thick smoke blanketed the region, visible all the way to Plakias.
The speed of the spread forced the Civil Protection mechanism to issue urgent 112 alerts, ordering the precautionary evacuation of residents and visitors in the nearby areas of Fotinari and Souda. For several hours, the community watched as their homes and ancestral olive groves faced an existential threat.
According to ongoing investigations by the Fire Service’s Arson Investigation Department, the fire originated on the grounds of a rented villa. Preliminary evidence points to the use of a BBQ by the guests staying at the property.
Crucially, reports indicate that the guests had been explicitly informed—both verbally upon arrival and in writing—about the strict prohibition of using outdoor grills during periods of high wind and elevated fire danger. Despite these warnings, the grill was reportedly used, and the resulting embers were quickly caught by the wind.
In connection with the incident, one individual has been arrested and is expected to appear before the Rethymno investigating magistrate to face charges related to the fire.
In the aftermath of the disaster, the owner of the villa took a highly unusual and commendable step: issuing a direct, emotional, and unequivocal public apology to the community.
Acknowledging that the fire is linked to the actions of his guests, the owner did not hide behind legal jargon or deflect blame. He explicitly stated that while warnings were given, the incident still occurred, and the consequences were severe.
“Sellia is not just a place where I own a property. It is our place. It is our people, our memories, and the lifelong hard work of an entire community,” the owner wrote. “I sincerely apologize to everyone who felt their life, home, or property was in danger. I am deeply sorry for every olive tree destroyed and for the disruption caused to our society.”
He further pledged to stand by the victims, offering to support any legal or financial efforts required to help the community recover from the damage.
The reason Sellia is still standing is due to an overwhelming, coordinated emergency response. Despite the treacherous wind conditions that grounded some aerial efforts and made ground access difficult, the firefighting forces did not yield.
The operation included:
- More than 60 firefighters on the ground.
- Three specialized ground teams (EMODE).
- Dozens of fire engines and municipal water tankers from the Municipality of Agios Vasileios.
- Three helicopters executing continuous water drops to protect the ground crews and cool the main front.
- Local volunteers and residents who formed a critical first line of defense.
By Friday night, the active front was contained, though crews remained on-site throughout the weekend to monitor for and extinguish any hidden hotspots or reignitions.
