Chania: 16-year-old arrested for causing fire in Akrotiri

A 16-year-old has been arrested in the Akrotiri area of Chania following a fire on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. Although the fire was extinguished by the fire service before it could spread, the incident is being treated with high severity because the regional fire risk index was at level 4 at the time.

This marks the fourth incident during the current fire season in Chania where a minor is suspected of causing a fire. Authorities noted that the teenager reportedly stated, “I was playing with matches, I wanted to see how it catches fire.”

Due to the high risk level in the area, the case may face more serious legal consequences despite the suspect's age. The minor has been handed over to the relevant authorities as a formal investigation is underway.