A fire in a house in Paphos was caused by a lit cigarette butt forgotten on the premises, the Fire Service said on Thursday.

The fire broke out around noon on Wednesday and caused extensive damage to the home, which was empty at the time.

Two fire engines were sent from the Paphos station to put out the blaze.

Police and the Fire Service determined after their investigations that the fire was caused by a forgotten cigarette butt on a couch in the home.