ATHENS , Greece ( CNN ) -- The wildfires that have scorched southern Greece , killing dozens of people , reached the ancient city of Olympia , birthplace of the Olympic games , an official said Sunday . Smoke rises Sunday in ancient Olympia , close to the archaeological site in western Peloponnese , Greece . The city is `` in danger , '' said fire department spokeswoman Janis Stamoulis , explaining that the flames are encroaching on an old museum and archaeological center . None of the city 's historical sites has been destroyed , she said . Officials said Sunday they have arrested and charged two individuals in connection with the fires that have razed dozens of villages and killed at least 51 people , Fire Brigade Officer Nikos Tsogas said Sunday . Watch how the death toll continues to rise » . One of the individuals is a 65-year-old man , who witnesses said they saw torching areas in the southern Peloponnese region near the town of Areopolis , located 190 kilometers ( 120 miles ) southwest of Athens . Map » . The second person was a 77-year-old woman who reportedly started a fire while cooking in her garden in Zaharo , one of the hardest hit areas in the south . Tsogas said authorities are deeming her behavior criminal neglect . Meanwhile , officials are also investigating a gas canister explosive device found attached to a cell phone on the outskirts of Athens . About 30 meters away rags drenched in petrol were found underneath parched brush and twigs , Tsogas said . Witness reports indicate two `` suspicious '' individuals were seen near the site . Tsogas said authorities were treating the case seriously . Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis declared a nationwide state of emergency Saturday night , mobilizing all resources . View photos from the blaze and aftermath » . In a nationally televised address , Karamanlis suggested the blazes might have been deliberately set by political extremists ahead of next month 's national elections . The fires have placed a damper on campaigning . `` So many fires sparked simultaneously in so many places is no coincidence , '' Karamanlis said , vowing to punish those responsible . No one has the right to take human lives and destroy the environment , he added . He described the situation as a `` battle that has to be won '' and ordered all resources mobilized to fight the fire . Many firefighters said they are suspicious of the fire 's source , given several witness reports that the blazes cropped up simultaneously along a 20-kilometer ( 12-mile ) front of lush greenery in southern Greece . Scores of people have been hospitalized with severe burns and respiratory problems , state-run television reported . As of Sunday a total of 45 villages have been evacuated in the parched southern region and at least three villages north of Athens . Efforts to temper the flames have been stymied due to the sweltering heat wave gripping the area , which has left forests and scrubland parched . That , coupled with strong winds fanning the flames , have led authorities to call this the country 's worst fire season on record . Since June more than 3,000 fires have razed thousands of hectares of forests and scrubland across the country -- nearly triple last year 's total -- according to officials . Heavy smoke billowing Saturday afternoon above Mount Hymettus southeast of Athens signaled that a new fire had broken out . The worst-hit area stretched for 80 kilometers ( 50 miles ) from the western towns of the Zaharo , within the highlands of the western Peloponnese , to the southern tip of the peninsula , Mani . A mother , her child and at least seven other people died while trying to flee a burning , wooded area in the mountainous villages in the western Peloponnese , near the town of Zaharo , according to a fire brigade official . Farther south , six people -- including two French tourists found by rescue crews in an embrace -- were killed in a forest fire that swept near their hotel in the town of Areopolis , located 190 km ( 120 miles ) southwest of Athens . Greece 's elections are set for September 16 . The ruling party has called for a temporary suspension of political campaigning as a sign of respect to those who died in the flames , and flags on government buildings were flying at half staff Saturday . The modern Olympics began in 1896 , but the ancient games can be traced to 776 B.C . The games were staged on the plains of Olympia for 12 centuries until 393 A.D. when Emperor Theodosius issued a ban on `` pagan cults , '' according to the International Olympic Committee . E-mail to a friend . Journalist Anthee Carassava contributed to this report .
NEW : This means the product will ship as received by the manufacturer, sealed, with all advertised components, and with the manufacturer warranty. Two individuals arrested : a 65-year-old man and a 77-year-old woman . Officials investigate a gas canister explosive device near Athens . The Greek prime minister has declared a nationwide state of emergency .