Authorities contained a fire threatening residential properties in the Mouttagiaka, Limassol, on Sunday following a three-hour firefighting operation that concluded at approximately 5 pm.
The Fire Service reported at 6:10 pm that the blaze, located northeast of Mouttagiaka, had been successfully contained.
Eleven fire service vehicles from Limassol, Nicosia, Larnaca stations and Vasilikos Fire Station continue firefighting operations at the scene.
The Forestry Department deployed 10 fire vehicles, one portable firefighting unit and 62 personnel, with the department director supervising operations on-site. Additional support came from the Game and Fauna Service with two portable units, Limassol Provincial Administration providing bucket and water carrier vehicles, Police, Civil Defence, and volunteer organisations including Kitas Weather, SupportCY, ETEA, SOS and Diasosi1.
Emergency protocols PYRSOS and Icarus 2 were activated, deploying eleven aircraft to combat the blaze that endangered isolated residential properties and outbuildings.
Fire service officials confirmed strong forces will maintain overnight monitoring in the affected area.
Immediate threat to residential properties contained
Amathus Mayor Kyriakos Xydias stated the initial phase posed immediate danger to properties adjacent to the fire’s origin.
“We gave emphasis, both the Fire Service and the municipality’s services, so that the houses would not be endangered, and we succeeded,” Xydias said.
“It was necessary to activate the Icarus 2 plan, with all aircraft operating in the area, as there was no other way of intervention,” the mayor explained. “Fortunately, within three hours – from 1:30 until 5 – the fire was brought under control.”
Xydias noted that whilst the fire has been contained, danger persists and emergency services remain on standby pending confirmation of complete extinguishment.
Residents attempted to assist firefighting efforts using improvised equipment, though some private vehicles impeded emergency vehicle access during the operation.
“Overall the effort and help was positive and effective,” Xydias said, whilst acknowledging coordination challenges during the emergency response.
The mayor declined to speculate on the fire’s cause, stating that investigators would determine the incident’s origin.
Read more: