A woman has received a sentence after she ignited two wildfires in Greece for an unusual motive.
The 44-year-old initiated two separate fires with the intention of interacting with the firefighters who would respond to the incidents.
According to reports, the woman had tried to start multiple fires, which led to two wildfires due to her actions.
The resident of Tripoli has now been handed a suspended 36-month prison sentence along with a €1,000 (around $1,106) fine for her crimes.
The fire department confirmed her arrest, stating, “She was arrested today, August 26, 2024, by investigating officers of the Police Department of Tripoli.”
The statement further mentioned, “A Greek citizen, who is responsible for causing two fires on farmland, intentionally and repeatedly (on August 24th and 25th), in the area of Kerasitsa, in the Municipality of Tripoli in Arcadia.”
The reason for her setting the fires was linked to her fascination with firefighters.
A statement revealed she ignited the fires because “she enjoyed watching firefighters and flirting with them.”
Greek media outlet, Skai TV, reported that her motivation was to meet a man in uniform.
Her appearance at both fire incidents raised suspicions among the firefighters present.
The woman’s three-year prison term has been suspended, meaning she won’t serve time immediately.
If she commits another crime during a specified period, the suspended sentence will be added to any new sentence she receives.
Luckily, both fires affected only small areas of land and were quickly extinguished by the fire department.
Wildfires are a serious issue in Greece, with the country experiencing severe wildfires in August 2024.
Some fires came dangerously close to Athens, with 36-year-old volunteer George telling the BBC it was “like hell.”
He added, “We don’t have the resources to beat those conditions.”
Thousands had to evacuate as the fire ravaged through forests, farmland, and homes, with the cause under investigation.
Ongoing droughts and intense heatwaves have made large parts of Greece particularly susceptible to wildfires.
Furthermore, heatwaves in Greece are becoming hotter and longer-lasting.
Dry conditions and vegetation allow fires to spread rapidly, leading to evacuations and the destruction of homes.