Five vehicles were destroyed and two others damaged in a fire at an apartment block parking area in the early hours of Friday.   

According to early reports, explosions were heard coming from the same area in Ayia Phyla. 

The three-storey building was also evacuated though most of the residents had left of their own accord before the emergency services arrived. No one was injured.  

According to authorities, the fire broke out in one vehicle at around 2.20am and spread to others. Five were totally gutted and two more damaged.  

Police believe the initial fire was caused by a home-made incendiary device placed on one vehicle, indicating that the owner of the car was the intended target. A bottle of flammable material wrapped in a firecracker was found at the scene, police said.

The wall of the apartment building also sustained damage.  

In a post on social media, fire brigade spokesman Andreas Kettis said four fire engines went to the scene. 

“The fire caused extensive damage to apartment building,” he said. 

 “A preventative inspection of the entire apartment building was carried out. The causes will be investigated later today in collaboration with the police,” Kettis said. 

Meanwhile one resident told reporters at the scene on Friday that people had been woken by the explosion and by the smell of smoke but no one knew where it had originated at that point.

The resident said his was one of the cars destroyed. He said he had only begun living there 20 days ago

Lefteris Kyriakou, Limassol assistant police chief said investigations were continuing, CCTV was being checked and witness statements were being taken.