Fire in Mosfiloti brought under control (updated)

A fire that broke out on Tuesday afternoon near the village of Mosfiloti was brought under control within two hours, by 4pm, and there were no immediate reports of injuries or damaged houses, the fire service said.

A warning issued earlier in the day by the forestry department cautioned that homes were in danger, but it later said the fire burned through four hectares of wooded land – of mainly pine and wild olive trees.

The forestry department sent out 47 of its members to battle the blaze along with ten vehicles and four planes, while the firefighting services dispatched 12 people and four fire trucks.

It added that firefighters will remain on site to ensure there are no flare ups. Investigations into the cause are ongoing.

Spokesman for the fire service Andreas Kettis said earlier that that the fire in the Larnaca municipality fell under the direct jurisdiction of the forestry department.