Fire destroys cafe and apartment building in Nea Ionia

A significant fire broke out in the early hours of Monday, September 28, 2026, at a cafe located on Kastamonis Street in Nea Ionia. The blaze, which began around 4:30 a.m., quickly spread from the ground-floor establishment to the three residential stories above it, causing extensive damage to both the commercial premises and the apartments.

Eighteen firefighters using five vehicles and specialized ladder equipment were deployed to the scene to extinguish the flames and perform evacuations. Residents reported hearing a powerful explosion prior to the fire, prompting authorities to investigate whether the incident was caused by a gas cylinder or arson. Residents were forced to flee as flames engulfed their balconies and interiors, leaving the building severely damaged.

Historical context provides that the same cafe location was the site of a fatal shooting involving Albanian nationals in February 2023, which left a 37-year-old man dead. Emergency services remain on-site in a state of alert to ensure the fire is completely extinguished as investigations into the precise cause of the explosion continue.