A raging fire in Athens' northern suburbs has forced panicked residents to battle flames with tree limbs and buckets of water. The police have ordered one town of 10-thousand people to evacuate immediately.

Planes swooped low over the town of Agios Stefanos to pour water on the flaming houses. By Sunday afternoon, the town was empty save for a few volunteers aiding firefighters. Planes and helicopters, which had suspended operations overnight, attacked the blaze again at dawn. But with gale-force winds propelling the flames, the fire spread unchecked.

The fires ignited late on Friday and by Sunday they were reported across an area more than 40 kilometres wide. A state of emergency was declared on Saturday in greater Athens.

(CCTV August 24, 2009)