Kili residents in protest to demand fire compensation

Residents of Kili community said on Monday that they will hold a protest over the government’s lack of compensation after a fire that started near Kamares spread to the area and allegedly destroyed 99 per cent of the community.

The fire, which started on June 26 between Kamares and Zelemenos spread up the ravine in Karmi and to the outskirts of Kili, destroying two square kilometres of land in total.

This included plantations, olive, carob and almond trees and two animal farms in Kili, the president of the Kili community’s council Michalakis Efthimiou told the Cyprus News Agency.

He said the fire burned 99 per cent of the area, and more than one third of the residents were affected.

“While we were told that we would be compensated, so far no action has been taken by the state or the competent ministry,” Efthimiou said.

Hence, the residents will gather outside government buildings at 10am on Tuesday.

According to the community’s representative, Kili’s residents demand to receive the same treatment as the residents of other areas that were affected by the fires.

The Tala fire, which investigations showed was started by sparks from electricity cables, also destroyed three houses and several vehicles in the village.

A Just giving Page has been set up by Andrea Thorne, of RSS Logistics in Peyia, with the aim of raising money to help all of the people affected by the fire. So far, the page raised more than €10,000.

People affected are asked to contact the page. Funds would be distributed “correctly, legally and making account for all monies handed over,” it was added.