Limassol blaze could have been started by individuals

The fire that broke out shortly after 8pm on Sunday in the villages of Kedares, Praitori and Arsos, all located between the Paphos and Limassol districts, has been put out and the situation is now under control, according to Fire Service spokesperson Andreas Kettis.

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency on Monday, Kettis said the fire burned around one square kilometre worth of dry grass and wild vegetation. No injuries or damages to buildings were recorded.

Speaking to Trito, he said that authorities suspected the fire was started by someone and that investigations were underway to find possible culprits.

“Putting out the fire required a superhuman effort by the Fire Service and the Forestry Department, but also by the Game Fund and the Civil Defence, as well as by volunteers who helped contain the situation,” he said.

No helicopters were used to tame the fire, but firefighters will remain on the scene on Monday to prevent any further incidents.

According to the director of the Forestry Department Charalambos Alexandrou, firefighters battled the blaze on two separate fronts due to the wind and the irregular terrain.