Man arrested after cars destroyed by fire (updated)

A 44-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday suspected of arson after a fire destroyed 12 vehicles at a mechanic in Kaimakli, Nicosia.

The fire was reported at around 5.30am, when the yard was closed. The blaze spread to 12 cars and destroyed all of them, while another five were damaged by the flames.

A small structure which used as a kitchen also suffered extensive damage.

Following the intervention of the police, a tip was received that the 44-year-old was suspected of setting the fire.

He was arrested based on a court order.

Fire department spokesman Andreas Kettis in a post on X said four fire trucks from Nicosia fire stations responded to extinguish the blaze.

The firefighters carried out water transfers and used breathing equipment, Kettis said.

“There was a continuous transfer of water with water lines from a neighbouring cistern using the three tanker vehicles. All the paintwork in the workshop’s main premises was affected by the smoke,” he added.