Greek firefighters are battling a wind-driven forest fire that has burned through a pine forest and forced the evacuation of hundreds of people near the seaside village of Kechries in the eastern Peloponnese.

Thick smoke billowed above treetops licked by flames as more than 367 firefighters tackled the blaze, assisted by four helicopters, eight planes, municipal staff and volunteers, officials said.

The fire lightly damaged three homes at the nearby villages of Athikia and Alamano and destroyed one fire truck, without causing any injuries to residents or firefighters.