By David Latona PATRAS, Greece/MADRID (Reuters) -Hundreds of firefighters battled to put out wildfires across southern Europe on Thursday, some of which are believed to have been set deliberately by arsonists and stoked by an extended heat wave gripping the region.

Wildfires in Greece, Albania, Spain, Portugal and Italy have caused widespread damage. At least two people have been killed and thousands face evacuation.View on euronews

ATHENS, Greece -- Wildfires intensified across southern Europe on Wednesday after a nightlong battle to protect the perimeter of Greece’s third-largest city, with at least three more deaths reported in Spain, Turkey and Albania.