A fire was raging in Limassol’s Gerasa area on Tuesday, with three fire fighting aircraft and four fire trucks deployed to the scene. The fire is affecting the Apsiou and Gerasa area. Another fire in Ayios Sylas’ area last week was attributed to an arson attack.
Dozens of animals were burned alive in the Ayios Sylas fire, with a livestock farm and fenced compound being burned down. The fire has been described as a blatant arson attack, and police operations to track down suspects are underway.
– Fires broke out in Limassol’s Ayios Sylas and Ayios Therapondas were confirmed to be arson attacks by fire services chief Nikos Longinos.
– Two small businesses were burned to the ground in the area.
– The goal of the fire services was to protect homes and save lives.
– Three aircraft, including two helicopters from Jordan, were called in to help fight the fires.
– 10 fire trucks from Larnaca, Paphos, and Nicosia were on the scene.
A 46-year-old man from Paphos has been charged with carrying out an arson attack on a car in the village of Ayia Varvara near Paphos’ industrial area and Yeroskipou. The fire occurred on March 12 at around 3.30am, resulting in the complete destruction of the car. The man’s trial is set to begin on Monday, and he will remain in custody until then.
Fact: The fire in Limassol’s Turkish Cypriot quarters was determined to be a deliberate arson attack and resulted in the collapse of the old Apollon cinema’s roof and extensive damages to an adjacent house.
No injuries from firecrackers were reported during the Easter holidays. Approximately 5,500 firecrackers were confiscated island wide and 12 people were charged in writing for illegal possession of fireworks and other explosives.
Two children, aged 14 and 16, were arrested in connection with an arson attack on a house in the Larnaca village of Kiti. They were part of a group of 70 youths who threw firecrackers at the police and the house, causing fires to break out. The incident lasted for a total of six hours, during which a local playground and church were also damaged.
Three cars were destroyed by an arson attack in the car park of an apartment building in the Limassol village of Trachoni.
Fact: A barber shop in Paphos was targeted in an arson attack, with the fire believed to have been started maliciously but not due to racial motivation.