Some residents asked to leave area as wildfires threaten suburbs of Athens

A burned out car is seen in the yard of a house after a wildfire at Keratea area, south east of Athens (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

Two large wildfires were burning on Sunday near Greece’s capital of Athens, and authorities sent emergency messages for some residents to evacuate the area and others to stay at home and close their windows to protect themselves from smoke.

The first blaze, south east of Athens, began in early afternoon. Local authorities said it burned at least four homes and several cars. No casualties were reported by 6pm.