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Paphos district officer questions origins of Pelathousa fire

Ðåëáèïýóá Õöõðïõñãüò Ðïëéôéóìïý ÐõñêáãéÜ Óðßôé óêçíïèÝôç Ðáíßêïõ ×ñõóÜíèïõ
The destroyed home of Panicos Chrysanthou

Paphos district officer Mary Lambrou said on Wednesday that the statement that the Pelathousa fire broke out of an illegal waste site is a “rushed” conclusion, noting that the district’s administration is currently working on the matter.

“I investigated the matter with the community leader, and it became apparent that in the ditch where the fire broke out there seemed to be some broken building material such as tiles and some garden waste,” Lambrou told CNA.

“But the initial report that the fire started from an illegal waste site in Pelathousa was rushed,” she added.

Lambrou further said that the hasty conclusion is also apparent given that a person has been arrested and is currently being investigated by the police in connection to the fire. Police arrested a 71-year-old man on Tuesday in connection to the case.

The fire department speaking to Cyprus Mail on Wednesday said that the fire first broke out at a waste site, but it is not something that can be definitely proved.

“Based on our expertise, the on-site evaluation we carried out, and the fire’s direction we concluded that the fire initially broke out of a waste site found in the area, “a fire department spokesperson told Cyprus Mail.

“As the fire was spreading, another front broke out northerly, which may not relate to the initial source of the fire… having said that, this is not something that can be proven to the maximum,” they added.

Lambrou insisted that a record of all construction sites had been made, explaining that these areas are not always waste sites.

Moreover, she said the Paphos district administration has made up to €50 thousand available per annum to be distributed to the communities, depending on the cleaning work they conduct.

The agriculture ministry then subsidises the communities with sums of €2,000 to €4,000 to clean up.

She estimates that in the last two years a lot of work has been done regarding cleanliness and prevention of fires, noting that the situation may not be perfect and that there is room for improvement, nonetheless.

Lambrou concluded by calling on the public to respect the environment and to not discard useless objects in unauthorised areas.

The fire which broke out on Monday burned 1.5km around Pelathousa and destroyed the home and archives of film director Panicos Chrysanthou.

Ground crews worked throughout the night, with four aircraft – two planes and two helicopters – joining them early in the morning to extinguish the last of the flames and demarcate the area that was damaged.

Strong winds in the area also caused extensive damage to a private residence, but firefighting crews managed to keep the blaze from spreading further, protecting businesses, farms and homes in the community, he said.

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