A thousand square metres of scrubland turned to ashes by a fire that broke out on Friday afternoon in an area near Xylofagou.

A written statement from the forestry department said that “at around 4.40pm today, Friday, June 17, a fire broke out near the Xylofagou. The fire was brought under full control at 5.40pm after it burned an area of 1,000sq.m covered with low wild vegetation”.

Three forestry department personnel with one fire engine operated to extinguish the fire.

The exact cause of the fire is being investigated.