Nea Ionia cafe fire triggers arson investigation

Nea Ionia fire arson investigation apartment building blaze organized crime Athens emergency

A massive fire broke out around 04:30 on Monday, September 28, 2026, at a ground-floor cafe on Kastamonis Street in Nea Ionia, Athens. The blaze spread rapidly through a three-story apartment building, causing extensive damage to multiple floors and leaving several apartments uninhabitable.

Firefighters, including 18 personnel and 5 vehicles equipped with specialized ladder and boom platforms, conducted a major operation to extinguish the flames and rescue residents. Several occupants, including elderly individuals, were forced to flee to the rooftop due to thick smoke before being safely evacuated. No injuries were reported.

Authorities, including the Greek Police's Organized Crime Division and the Fire Brigade's Arson Crimes Investigation Unit, have launched an intensive inquiry. Preliminary findings, including traces of flammable liquids and witness reports of loud explosions prior to the fire, have led investigators to focus on arson as the most likely cause. Police are also examining the cafe's history, noting a fatal shooting incident that occurred at the same location in February 2023. Investigators are reviewing security footage and considering the possibility of a targeted attack.

Entities

12th EMODE · Arson Crimes Investigation Unit · Athens Arson Crimes Investigation Unit · Fire brigade · Greek Fire Service · Greek Police · Kalloni · Kastamonis Street · Koumkos · Lesvos · Lions gang · Nea Ionia

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Local authorities are providing water tankers to assist.
[DISPUTED] A fire broke out in the Koumkos area of Lesvos on Sunday evening, September 27, 2026.
[● 3 SOURCES] A hiking team from the 12th EMODE is participating in the operation.
[● 3 SOURCES] The fire is burning mainly shrubs and low vegetation.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The fire does not threaten inhabited areas.
[DISPUTED] The response includes 25 firefighters and 8 vehicles.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Strong winds are complicating the firefighting operation.
[● 16 SOURCES] The cafe was the site of a fatal shooting involving the 'Lions' gang in February 2023. www.e-radio.gr · www.espressonews.gr · sinidisi.gr · www.larissanet.gr · www.rthess.gr · +7 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Authorities are investigating the possibility of arson or a gas cylinder explosion. www.espressonews.gr · sinidisi.gr · www.larissanet.gr · www.athensmagazine.gr · kriti360.gr · +1 more
[DISPUTED] The fire broke out in a cafe on Kastamonis Street in Nea Ionia around 04:30 on Monday, September 28, 2026. www.e-radio.gr · www.espressonews.gr · kriti360.gr · patrapress.gr · www.thebest.gr · +17 more
[DISPUTED] The response includes 18 firefighters and 5 vehicles. www.e-radio.gr · www.espressonews.gr · patrapress.gr · www.dimokratia.gr · sinidisi.gr · +9 more
[● 14 SOURCES] Some residents were forced to flee to the rooftop to escape thick smoke. www.e-radio.gr · www.espressonews.gr · kriti360.gr · patrapress.gr · www.dimokratia.gr · +9 more