Analiontas fire under control (Updated)

Fire fighters were able to put under control a fire near a monastery between Analiontas and Kampia in the Nicosia district around an hour after it erupted.

The blaze destroyed a warehouse in which farming equipment was stored, and burned eight hectares of private land, with olive and pine trees, a vineyard, and fields of harvested wheat.

It erupted at round 12.50 pm and was put under control at around 2 pm.

The fire threatened the monastery, dedicated to Virgin Mary and some holiday homes.

In total 27 men from the forestry department with eight engines and six of the fire service with two engines worked to put the fire under control. Area residents also helped with the help of two private tractors and one digger as well as local community councils that sent two small firefighting vehicles.

The cause of fire is under investigation, the forestry department said.