A fire in Gerasa, Limassol that broke out in the afternoon was extinguished five hours later on Tuesday.

According to the forestry department, 70 of its officers with 14 fire engines, six diggers and five water tankers operated to extinguish the fire. In addition, a firefighting aircraft of the Forestry Department and two helicopters of the National Guard fought the flames from the air.

The firefighting operations were assisted by the fire service with 13 firefighters and four fire engines, the civil defence with 12 personnel and four fire engines and the Game and Wildlife Service with five personnel and two fire engines.

Members of voluntary groups and local residents also participated in the operation. 

Firefighting forces will remain in the area throughout the night to monitor the fire and to deal with possible reignitions.

The fire affected the Apsiou and Gerasa area, where it broke out at 1pm.

Authorities have been fighting a number of fires in the past few weeks, with one in Ayios Sylas’ area in Limassol last week burning dozens of animals and destroying multiple premises.

That fire has been attributed to an arson attack for which police are on the hunt for suspects.