Death of a 7-year-old in Rodopi – Fire likely caused by a wood-burning stove

Rodopi is in mourning today, Friday (26/12), after a fire broke out in the early hours at a house in the Rizoma area, resulting in the death of a 7-year-old child.

According to information, the child’s 5-year-old brother is being treated in hospital for burns, as is the children’s father.

As reported by public broadcaster ERT, preliminary information suggests that the fire most likely started from a wood-burning stove, which, according to witness accounts, had been burning throughout the night in the children’s bedroom.

The timeline of the tragedy

The tragic incident occurred at around 6 a.m. on Friday (26/12), when a fire broke out in the children’s room, where their mother was also sleeping.

The flames spread rapidly, as the interior of the house is constructed with wood and plastic, resulting in the tragic death of the 7-year-old boy, despite the immediate response of the Fire Service.

According to reports, the parents and the children’s grandparents—who were present and live in the same detached house—rushed to rescue the children as soon as they realized a fire had broken out. Tragically, they were only able to save the 5-year-old boy from the flames.

The younger brother was transferred to the University Hospital of Alexandroupoli with second- and third-degree burns to his legs, arms, and face. His condition is described as serious but stable. The children’s father is being treated at Sismanogleio Hospital in Komotini, also with second- and third-degree burns to the lower part of his body.

A Fire Service investigation team is conducting inquiries into the causes of the blaze.