Fires all over Cyprus | The fire service had given a warning

Defence Redefined

Published on 24/05/2020 at 16:47

Cyprus “is on fire” after several fires broke out in Famagusta, Nicosia and the occupied territories. Specifically, fires broke out in Liopetri, Xylofagou, Dasaki tis Achnas, Nicosia and near Diorios in the occupied areas.

The first fire front broke out shortly after 10:30 on the Liopetri – Avgorou road, with the fire service responding immediately with three fire trucks, one from Paralimni and three from Xylofagou. Also, a mobile unit of the forest department and ten agricultural tractors were ‘thrown’ into the fire fighting battle.

The fire, which burned three hectares of vegetation, was deemed serious enough to threaten homes and residents.

The spokesman of the Fire Service Andreas Kettis, reported that the intervention of the fire service prevented the spread of the fire in a house.

The fire was brought under control around noon.

Shortly after one o’clock in the afternoon, information was received about an uncontrolled fire in Dasaki of Achna.

The Fire Service, Sovereign British Bases’ (SBA) police and civilians were immediately put on duty.

The fire was put under partial control shortly after four in the afternoon, having burned four hectares of wild vegetation and hay bales.

The fire burned an orchard and a farm.

Four vehicles of the Fire Service, two vehicles from the SBA and a Police helicopter attempted to extinguish it.

A third front took place shortly before two in the wooded area at the chapel of Panagia Evangelistria in the community of Xylofagou.

The fire burned vegetations of acacias and pines, while four vehicles of the Fire Service, two of the Forest Department and one of the Civil Defence were engaged.

Efforts have been stepped up by airstrikes by Forest Department aircraft and a Police helicopter.

According to reports, the fire also broke out in the occupied areas, specifically near Diorios, where a fire broke out a few days ago and for the extinguishing of which the Republic of Cyprus contributed with an aircraft and a helicopter.

A while ago, a fire broke out in the Lapatsa area of ​​Nicosia. The Fire Service spokesman Andreas Kettis stated that at first glance the fire seemed to be burning dry vegetation as well as hay bales, while three fire fighting trucks were engaged.

The Fire Service had earlier called on the public to refrain from actions and activities that could cause fires due to the strong winds blowing, describing the level of risk of explosion and expansion of fires as “RED ALERT”.