Kelokedara fire brought under control (updated)

A fire that broke out in Kelokedara in the Paphos district at around 2.20pm on Tuesday has been brought under control, according to fire services spokesman Andreas Kettis.

A total of five hectares of dry grass and wild vegetation were burned before fire engines and helicopters intervened to put the fire out, Kettis said.

He added, however, that firemen will remain in the area during the next hours to avoid any further problems.

Four staffed fire engines dispatched from several fire stations in Paphos district were used to extinguish the fire, along with two helicopters belonging to the state.

“The incident was serious because strong winds were hampering the fire services’ efforts to put out the fire, but the situation is now under control,” Kettis said.

A second fire was also being fought between Fasoula and Mathikoloni in the Limassol district.

Fire fighters from the fire services and the forestry department and backed by fire-fighting aircraft responded to the fire in the Limassol district.

Personnel from civil defence, the district office and the Game Fund were also brought in to help tackle the blaze.