RAFINA, Greece (AP) — The fire came suddenly, and the six friends ran. When they reached the beach and there was nowhere more to run, they swam into the sea, choking and blinded by the smoke and pulled by the strong current. The same winds that fanned the flames had whipped up the seas, and soon they lost sight of the shore and became disoriented. For two hours the group struggled to stay afloat, until salvation came in the form of a fishing boat and its Egyptian crew. Nikos Stavrinidis was pulled to safety. So were his wife and two of their friends. Two more had disappeared into the waves. "It is terrible to see the person next to you drowning and not be able to help him. You can't," Stavrinidis said Tuesday, his voice breaking.
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