NNA - A fast-moving wildfire fuelled by searing summer heat and strong winds spread to the edge of Athens on Monday, torching trees, houses and cars and forcing the evacuations of more than 25 towns and villages, Greek authorities said.

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

By Monday the fire, the worst in Greece this year, had advanced to the fringes of Athens' densely populated northern suburbs around the heavily wooded Mount Penteli, sending columns of smoke into the air across the horizon.

There were so far no reports of deaths. Thirteen people were treated by rescuers and medical staff for smoke inhalation and two firefighters for burns, fire brigade spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said.--Reuters

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