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Fire department takes distances from government arson statements

The Fire Department distanced itself from the official government line and the official statements of top government officials that talk about an organized plan of arson across the country, yesterday.

The fire brigade spokesman, Stavroula Mallri, speaking to ERT, and asked to comment on the leaks relating to arson, effectively emptied the government and the Ministry of Citizen Protection, noting: "No, we can not say that. The causes are being investigated and we will have the results from the staff at the end of the fires. "

It is worth noting that on Sunday afternoon, the Ministry of Citizen Protection with leaks to Athens News Agency talked about a "plot of arson" and Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis from Zakynthos where he toured not only adopted the specific view of the arson but also spoke about motivators of the arsonists who, as he said, "aim at creating a socially degraded situation in the country".

Indeed, Mr Toskas reiterated the arson story yesterday after the coordinating meeting in Halandri, at which Panos Skourletis was also present. "We had to deal with 91 fires yesterday and 31 today. You can't deal with fires with wishes and easy words. We are also troubled by the arson of the 19 fires in Zakynthos and maybe in other places, and we have had such attempts in the Veikou and Kaisariani groves in the past days. We do not want to enter a cycle of hysteria and incendiary statements used by other parties. It is time to act and deal with the natural disaster. We do not factor financial costs in our effort. We take directions from the Prime Minister and we have a comprehensive effort with multi-party co-ordination, "Mr. Toskas said yesterday.