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At least 1 house burned down, several others in danger from wildfire southeast of Athens

Associated Press
Published | Updated

A local resident watches a fire burns a forest near the town of Keratea, 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of Athens on Saturday, July 12, 2014. At least one house has burned down and several others are in danger from a wildfire raging near Keratea. The fire broke out early Saturday afternoon in a forested area in the hills west of the city and has spread quickly, despite the efforts of more than 150 firefighters. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) (The Associated Press)

An helicopter drops water over a fire near the town of Keratea, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of Athens on Saturday, July 12, 2014. At least one house has burned down and several others are in danger from a wildfire raging near Keratea. The fire broke out early Saturday afternoon in a forested area in the hills west of the city and has spread quickly, despite the efforts of more than 150 firefighters. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) (The Associated Press)

Local residents watch as a fire burns a forest near the town of Keratea, 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of Athens Saturday, July 12, 2014. At least one house has burned down and several others are in danger from a wildfire raging near Keratea. The fire broke out early Saturday afternoon in a forested area in the hills west of the city and has spread quickly, despite the efforts of more than 150 firefighters. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) (The Associated Press)

Authorities say a raging wildfire southeast of Greece's capital has burned down at least one house and threatened several others.

The fire broke out early Saturday afternoon in a forested area in the hills west of Keratea, 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of Athens, and has spread quickly, despite the efforts of more than 150 firefighters. Four planes and three helicopters also assisted before nightfall.

Local mayor Costas Levantis told TV channel Star that one house has burned down. Greece's hot, dry summers and prevailing high winds make wildfires frequent.

The government has warned that firefighting resources are stretched dangerously thin.