A fire broke out at a factory in the Aradippou industrial area on Monday shortly after 2.15pm, triggering a large-scale response from emergency services as firefighters worked to contain a blaze that spread throughout the facility.
The fire service was dispatched to the scene after the fire broke out at a factory producing frozen products.
Police secured the area while firefighters and EMAK rescue teams began tackling the blaze and carrying out precautionary searches to establish whether anyone remained inside the building.
Speaking to the Cyprus Mail, fire service spokesperson Koulla Mesaritou said “all available forces were mobilised” in response to the incident.
Later reports confirmed that no employees were inside the factory after authorities completed checks of staff records in cooperation with police and confirmed that all personnel had left the premises before the fire broke out.
According to Mesaritou, the fire spread across the entire factory, with an extremely high thermal load making firefighting operations particularly challenging.
Crews concentrated on containing the blaze while protecting neighbouring factories from the risk of it spreading.
A total of seven fire engines, a ventilation support vehicle and a forklift were deployed.
A forestry department water tanker was also brought in to reinforce firefighting efforts.
Four firefighters are receiving treatment after suffering heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation, while two members of the public were taken to hospital with respiratory problems caused by smoke.
Police diverted traffic around the industrial area as thick smoke continued to affect the surrounding area.
Nearby residents were advised to avoid the vicinity while emergency operations remained in progress.
The extent of damage to the factory has yet to be determined.
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