The fire on Samos started at around 2pm on Wednesday, and three helicopters and four planes were put into the extinguishing work together with around 50 fire crews.
A helicopter from the Greek fire brigade crashed during the work, and two people died, wrote NTB close to midnight.
Already in the afternoon, Silje Utvei and her cohabitant realized that something was up.
FIRE: The forest fire where one of the fire helicopters crashed outside Samos. Photo: Private.
sea view
Burned over the ridge
– It started like that in the 15s, we felt something in the air. Shortly after, we saw a lot of emergency calls and heard helicopter noises from the air, says Utvei to Dagbladet.
After being on strike since Saturday, the couple got to know other Norwegian families and they went together to check what was going on.
– We talked to a local restaurant owner who we have become a little familiar with, and he said that it burned over the ridge.
sea view
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The restaurant owner is said to have assured the couple that there was no danger where they lived, and that the fire would probably stop before it reached the city.
They thus returned to the hotel and followed the call.
– We saw helicopters flying back and forth to fetch water from the sea. We also saw the fire trucks. In fact, there were many volunteers who also moved out. They had fire hoses on the plane, says Utvei.
SAFE: Silje Utvei and her cohabitant did not have to evacuate after a forest fire. Photo: Private.
sea view
Flared up again
It was not until Utvei and his cohabitant ate dinner that they saw the flames with their own eyes.
– We talked to those who worked at the restaurant. They followed the local news and told us that a helicopter had disappeared. As we ate, we saw the flames.
According to Utvei, the fire must also have flared up again around 23-24. Then they had not gone out and checked.
– Alarming
Long haul home
Earlier this week wrote VG about Resort, which has been on strike in Samos since Saturday. She tells Dagbladet that all the Danes who were there had traveled with other companies and fled from Turkey to Denmark.
– We want to go home. We have children, cats and a dog. We asked Apollo to be sent to Turkey as well.
Norwegian expert: – The heat waves are deadly
The day after VG published, the couple received the same offer. But the journey home will be long.
– We travel around 11.30 today. We are taken by bus to the marina and then it takes an hour by boat to Turkey. From there we are transported to the airport, I do not know how long it will take.
The flight to Copenhagen leaves at 21 tonight and arrives around 23.30. From there, there will be an eight-hour bus to Oslo, where they will be picked up by family to drive home to Drammen.
– Then we will at least get home, I miss my dog and my boyfriend has diabetes and has limited medication, says Utvei.
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