Barbecue party ends in arrest in Crete, Greece; small spark mobilizes dozens of firefighters

A barbecue on the Greek island of Crete turned into an incident that prompted a large-scale response from fire crews after a fire broke out near the Rethymno area. Authorities arrested a 35-year-old Israeli tourist on suspicion of involvement in the blaze.

According to Greek media, the fire occurred on Friday evening in the municipality of Agios Vasilios, a period when the region was facing a high risk of forest fires. Initial information indicates that the suspect was having an outdoor barbecue before the fire started.

The Greek newspaper Kathimerini confirmed that fire department investigators arrested the man on suspicion of accidentally causing the fire, noting that fire crews managed to bring the flames under control after about four hours.

Local reports also stated that more than 60 firefighters participated in the operation, utilizing vehicles and helicopters, and issuing precautionary alerts to residents in nearby areas.

No injuries were reported, while judicial authorities are expected to determine the nature of the charges that may be brought against the suspect.