Two bush fires threaten suburbs in Athens

Two huge fires threatening suburbs of Athens are being tackled by firefighters.

Strong winds fanned the fires, which broke out in the Menidi suburb at the foot of Mount Parnitha north of Athens.

Eight planes and four helicopters sprayed water over the area to help 190 firefighters.

Menidi is close to the planned site of the Olympic village for the 2004 Games and some sporting venues.

One fire front headed toward the forest-covered slopes of the mountain, and the other pushed toward sparsely populated areas.

Bush fires are common during the dry, hot Greek summers. Temperatures around Athens reached 37 degrees today.