A huge blaze on the east side of Athens is spreading quickly due to high temperatures and strong winds.

Dozens of firefighters with ten vehicles are trying to tackle the fire, which sent thick smoke billowing into the Greek capital's sky.

Water-dropping helicopters were also dispatched at the scene.

The Reuters news agency said residents were forced to flee their homes, but so far nobody has been reported injured.

The fire broke out on Mount Ymittos, which overlooks Athens and is about 15km from the city centre.

The 1,026m mountain is popular with hikers and day trippers from the capital, and offers stunning views of the Athens urban sprawl and the port of Piraeus.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has been briefed about the fires.

Another large forest fire had developed earlier in the day on the tip of the southern Peloponnese peninsula, with authorities evacuating three villages and the coast guard sending vessels to rescue scores of people trapped on a beach.