(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION)<br/> <br />A wildfire raged in southeast coast near Athens on Thursday (July 19), burning large patches of forest and gutting homes.<br/> <br />The blaze, fanned by strong winds, charred the roofs of several houses in Keratea, a populated suburb region on the Greek coast.<br/> <br />Thick plumes of black smoke billowed into the air as the fire tore through vast areas of rural land.<br/> <br />Dozens of firefighters with 35 fire engines, assisted by five water-bombing aircrafts and two helicopters, battled the flames, which receded later in the day.<br/> <br />The fire prompted the pre-emptive evacuation of a monastery and a children's summer camp.<br/> <br />Hundreds of residents fled their homes, but no injuries were reported.<br/> <br />Wildfires are frequent in Greece during summer. Arson and human carelessness during sizzling temperatures and strong winds are the main causes.
