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Plakias => Plakias => Topic started by: mickydripping on May 10, 2015, 09:35:37 AM

Title: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: mickydripping on May 10, 2015, 09:35:37 AM
At 5.0am this morning,  a fire swept  through the beach side restaurants at plakias,  completely destroying them from Sofia to ostracio.  As far as I know  no one  was injured  fortunately.  A sad day for the town,  I  have many happy memories of eating there.  I hope there is sufficient time to rebuild before the peak of the season.
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Voloudakis on May 10, 2015, 09:49:53 AM
Oh no! That is terrible, terrible news. Poor businesses. I hope no one hurt and had insurance ( often no one has in Greece).
Awful start to the season and not a pretty sight for first time visitors.
Best of luck to everyone.
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Barny on May 10, 2015, 09:56:25 AM
I don't like posting pictures like this but....
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Dave&Les on May 10, 2015, 10:08:24 AM
It is almost unreal to see the devastation everyone was having such a happy time last night
Already much of the charred damage has been removed by lorry loads so it is very busy here.
As always all hands on deck helping each other.
We don't think anyone was hurt, thank goodness.
Will report later.

Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: jann on May 10, 2015, 10:21:59 AM
Just saw this in another forum , can hardly believe it.how awful, just hoping that no one is hurt !
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: John R on May 10, 2015, 10:29:13 AM
Terrible but thankfully no one hurt. Dave and Les thanks for that vision of the wonderful Plakias people all hands to the deck doing the necessary so quickly. Us Regulars will be sorry but not put off and this quick clear up will I am sure maintain a good impression for first timers.
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Dave&Les on May 10, 2015, 10:52:48 AM
Thanks John a real community spirit as you would expect.
New telegraph poles & cables delivered & ready to be put in position, things are moving fast already.
What great spirit they have in this time of devastation.
I'm sure all regulars will support them when they are eventually up & running again.
It will be interesting to see the progress in the next few weeks while we are here.
Will keep updating.
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: triton on May 10, 2015, 11:56:14 AM
Tragic, we wish everyone well and a speedy recovery to everyone this has affected.
We will be there in three weeks. 
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Richard on May 10, 2015, 12:20:13 PM
We walked up to Mirthios via the old mill and came back down to this. Just couldn't believe what we saw. We had dinner in Gorgona on Friday night. What a relief that no-one was hurt.

I saw a bulldozer clearing the concrete foundation, and people up poles re-connecting power-lines, just a few minutes ago, so hopefully the taverna owners can start again quickly. The snack bar right at the end, near Christos, was at least spared, as the adjacent building had been dismantled and was just starting to re-build. Presumably this stopped the fire spreading further.

Really quite shocked.

Richard.
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: shinaria on May 10, 2015, 01:33:36 PM
Very Bad news! Any ideas how we could help from the distance?
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: JackieatUrbanAgenda on May 10, 2015, 02:10:04 PM
OMG......what bad news and a horrible experience for all concerned. How awful. Pleased to hear that things have already started to replace the infrastructure. If there is anything we can do from afar please...please make it clear on the Forum. Will be thinking of everyone.

Jackie, Dai and David.
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Alex&fran G on May 10, 2015, 02:51:47 PM
Tragic, our thoughts are with you......
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: ostraco on May 10, 2015, 03:20:46 PM
So sad to see many of my favourite places ruined. BUT - buildings do not make Plakias what is is, and always will be. Plakias is in a beautiful location, but it's the wonderful, spirited people who make it great. They, like Plakias itself, WILL rise to another challenge and make it even better. My thoughts and best wishes are with everyone in town.
As for what we can do to help - what we always do I guess - keep talking about Plakias, keep up with the regular visits and spread our thoughts and best wishes far and wide.
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Dave&Les on May 10, 2015, 04:04:49 PM
You are so right, they are strong spirited & will rise again, someone suggested putting up marquees which could be the answer short term. As far as we know the kitchens are ok.
We will all support them as much as we can.
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: jerichrome on May 10, 2015, 06:27:26 PM
95 days till take off. Glad to hear nobody is hurt. Hopefully everything is back in working order when we get there. If needed i'll bring my own chair. I hope everyone will keep his own business.
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Richard on May 10, 2015, 08:00:34 PM
Had another look this evening and found half a dozen tables around a make-shift light where the sea-front part of Mouses used to be. Not exactly business as usual but great to see people 'fighting back' so soon. We intend to eat at Gorgona tomorrow evening, if open again, either outside if they set something similar up or inside if room permits.

I was impressed this morning by the speed of the major effort to sort things out, and on a Sunday morning to boot.

Most windows in the 'main' buildings/kitchens on the landward side cracked by the heat from the fire, but aside from that, doesn't look too bad.

Fingers crossed.

Richard
 
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Tony and Sandra Smith on May 11, 2015, 10:19:51 AM
Tragic. Our thoughts are with everyone there.

Tony and Sandra
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: ostraco on May 11, 2015, 12:03:58 PM
I noticed this link on Facebook this morning, with the tag

'On the early morning of May 10th, a lovely town of Plakias in Crete caught fire. The fire completely wiped out a few local tavernas. Luckily, nobody was hurt! However, the tavernas is what keeps the place going, builds economy, and feeds locals after the season is over. Let's help raise money to help these people rebuild!'

http://www.youcaring.com/emergency-fundraiser/save-plakias/351944#.VVCBBi3r_kr.facebook (http://www.youcaring.com/emergency-fundraiser/save-plakias/351944#.VVCBBi3r_kr.facebook)

So here's a way we can all chip in.  Please support our friends - I have!
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: bwian on May 11, 2015, 01:42:10 PM
At 5.0am this morning,  a fire swept  through the beach side restaurants at plakias,  completely destroying them from Sofia to ostracio.  As far as I know  no one  was injured  fortunately.  A sad day for the town,  I  have many happy memories of eating there.  I hope there is sufficient time to rebuild before the peak of the season.

Oh no ... how awful.... we are still not sure if we can make it this year - we have a new dog with separation issues and, even though we have the air tickets and accommodation paid for, we may have to miss out :-(
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Voloudakis on May 11, 2015, 02:05:30 PM
Donated! Many thanks to Richard for keeping us all updated. I am amazed at how fast the clean up is going.
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: travellingran on May 11, 2015, 02:23:46 PM
 I have donated and will do so again if still required.
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Richard on May 11, 2015, 03:36:31 PM
Just doing so,,,,It will all help.
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Noopsy on May 12, 2015, 02:48:46 PM
What a disaster! Poor Plakias!   :(   :o
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Richard on May 12, 2015, 04:52:41 PM
Some windows replaced and minor repairs to the foundation in evidence today. Last night we saw people sitting at the handful of tables outside both Corali and Mouses, in fact they were full at some point!
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: TonyH on May 13, 2015, 10:31:45 AM
Very sad to hear, we will be there next week and hope to help in some small way.  Big changes seem to be afoot? we will have to wait and see.

Tony :(
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Steve Jones on May 16, 2015, 02:20:46 PM
Only just picked this up and we are dumbfounded to hear such news.

We have made a donation to the fund and hope that it goes towards  helping the rebuilding process even if in some small way.

The heart of the town is the people and we hope that everyone pulls together to get things back on some sort of even keel.

All being well we will be back in Plakias in mid-July and we will be more than happy to frequent these establishments to at least put our custom their way. A small gesture in the scheme of things, but if everyone who visits the resorts made a similar gesture then it would help a lot.

Steve & Dawn
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Steve Jones on May 16, 2015, 07:31:27 PM
Just noticed that nearly €4000 out of a €5000 goal has been raised.

 It would be fantastic if even more people could donate whatever they can to reach this goal, even if it is just a small amount-it all helps.
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Arnaki on May 17, 2015, 03:47:17 PM
There are photographs posted on the Plakias TripAdvisor forum of the new look Plakias.  An amazing transformation, given the short space of time.  It looks as if most of the tavernas and bars are operating under large parasols.  I quite like to be out in the open like that - so long as the weather is good and not too windy.  The enclosures did at least allow the tavernas and bars to open early and late in the season, and provided shelter from the winds of high summer.

Well done to all involved in getting back up and running. 

Arnaki
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: bwian on May 17, 2015, 05:58:14 PM
Do you have a link to those photos..?
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: happyashellas on May 17, 2015, 09:32:47 PM
Some photo's available here:

http://www.youcaring.com/emergency-fundraiser/-saveplakias/351944#.VVCBBi3r_kr.facebook (http://www.youcaring.com/emergency-fundraiser/-saveplakias/351944#.VVCBBi3r_kr.facebook)
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Voloudakis on May 18, 2015, 08:03:13 AM
Do you have a link to those photos..?

(http://i.imgur.com/awzzalF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/yUty66Q.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/pV1oswv.jpg)
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: bwian on May 18, 2015, 03:36:19 PM
Thanks for those. Wow. How weird!
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: JackieatUrbanAgenda on May 19, 2015, 10:38:01 AM
Reassuring though.....good to see.
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: bwian on May 19, 2015, 12:34:21 PM
We are really upset not to be able to get to Plakias this year. I hope everyone has a great time this summer!
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Dave&Les on May 19, 2015, 02:00:07 PM
The concrete foundations are being laid now one by one so far about two are finished & one was laid today.
The road is now 1 metre wider, & the plans have to be approved by the almighty in Athens.

It is great that there has been such good support for everyone with meals being served inside or outside under large parasols.

Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: triton on May 19, 2015, 02:42:34 PM
Fantastic, look forward to supporting them very shortly.
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: JBMouse on May 27, 2015, 03:30:29 PM
Interested to know how the rebuilding is going, perhaps Dave & Les can report in on the progress, pics perhaps, if time away from the Mythos is allowed!
All the best to Plakias, we will be back in October.
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: phillip on May 27, 2015, 11:38:02 PM
Any news on re-building the destroyed buildings. Without them, the wind will deter people eating there.
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Mike G on May 28, 2015, 02:02:56 PM
I have just returned after 2 weeks in the town. Everything on the sea side of the road from Argo to Ostraco was lost. On May 12 all were open. By about May 20 all had new concrete bases. Muses will in future be slightly narrower and Ostraco slightly wider but there will now be a gap between them. The footprint of the others will be unchanged. The road is now slightly wider.

I was told they hope to complete the rebuilding of some, if not all, by the end of June. I was told the fire was caused by an electrical fault although more than half of those I spoke to believed it was started deliberately. The owner I spoke to had no insurance.

I have to say that if the enterprise, determination to overcome an awful situation, and hard work shown by the owners and staff were replicated over Greece as a whole, then that country would be out of its economic problems very soon.

I hope many will support these businesses through a tragic and difficult time.

Mike
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: phillip on May 28, 2015, 06:12:40 PM
Thanks for the update mike. We will be in plakias in September. We contributed to the relief fund and it sounds like the money is being used well. We mainly use the forgone but will support all when we are there.
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: phillip on May 28, 2015, 06:14:27 PM
Should have read Gorgona....Typo error.
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: bwian on June 03, 2015, 04:07:52 PM
We are really missing Plakias already this year and have booked accommodation for next year.... But how is it all looking? How are Mousses, Sofia, etc., coping? Still umbrellas on concrete??
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Voloudakis on June 03, 2015, 09:49:00 PM
We are really missing Plakias already this year and have booked accommodation for next year.... But how is it all looking? How are Mousses, Sofia, etc., coping? Still umbrellas on concrete??

First photo taken June 1st 2015
(http://i.imgur.com/XpeVoWa.jpg)
May 31st 2015 Ostraco I think? please correct me if I am wrong.
(http://i.imgur.com/EoblWVy.jpg)
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: bwian on June 04, 2015, 11:14:49 AM
Thanks - wish we were there...
Title: Re: Major fire in Plakias
Post by: Christian on June 08, 2015, 07:10:46 AM
Benefit concert 2015/06/07
----------------------------
We enjoyed a great evening yesterday. Various musicians made an free open air concert over five hours.
Every guest donated 5 euros to the restaurants.
Thank you Plakias...!