Another fire in the New Fortress at midnight - it has now been closed!

The local Fire Service has put the incident down to attempted arson following last year's repeated arson attacks. This time it was certain, however, that the fire couldn't have spread due to the weather conditions and the damp ground following the heavy rainfall. The fire broke out at the northern tip of the fortress above the Naval Base (NASKE) building. NASKE personnel contacted the Fire Service, who came immediately and dealt with the situation.

Corfu Municipality released a statement saying that "The New Fortress archaeological site will close following the decision of the Antiquities Inspectorate.

The Antiquities Inspectorate, who supervise and manage the New Fortress, has decided that following yesterday's fire the New Fortress archaeological site will remain closed for reasons of security and the fact that there is not enough security staff.

Corfu Municipality which - as is known - has requested the Finance Ministry that it be given responsibility for the New Fortress, had been able to provide only one person (from the insufficient personnel available) in order to keep the site open for visitors.

This unfortunate incident leads us to request once again that we be given responsibility for the New Fortress to staff it with security personnel.