Residents could be seen fleeing the fire on foot, by motorbike and cars while blackouts and water supply cuts were reported throughout the area.

Many Athenians, who ignored calls by firefighting authorities to evacuate their neighbourhoods, could be seen fighting the flames outside their homes with water hoses.

Others, armed with shovels and buckets, worked side by side with firefighters and soldiers throughout the night to battle the fires.

Firefighters said the constantly changing winds were making their work more difficult.

More than 80 forest fires were reported to have broken out across the country in less than 24 hours, fuelled by high temperatures and winds, officials said.

Blazes were also reported to be burning out of control on the Ionian island of Zakynthos, scorching nearly 2,000 acres of forest. Other fires were reported on the eastern Greek islands of Evia, and Skyros.

Forest fires have become more frequent in Greece in recent summers, triggered by high temperatures, drought and also arson.