Firefighters battling blaze in Akrounta (Update 2)

A massive fire is raging in the village of Akrounta, Limassol, necessitating the aid of 15 trucks and firefighting aircraft.

According to the forestry department, the fire broke out at 3.50pm.

Reports from the scene said 15 trucks and three helicopters, one forestry department aircraft, and two other hired aircraft brought to Cyprus last month were called in to put out the blaze. The fire service sent four trucks and the remainder are under the forestry department.

The fire service said two of their helicopters were helping battle the blaze and reports said they were filling up at Yermasoyia dam.  The Sovereign British Bases in Akrotiri also said one of their helicopters was at the scene.

Head of the Forestry Department, Andreas Christou said extinguishing the blaze was difficult due to the strong winds in the area and the inaccessibility of the area.

Earlier in the afternoon another fire was extinguished near the village of Louvaras in Limassol.

It started around 1.40pm and was put out fifteen minutes later, burning one hectare – 10,000 square metres – of wild brush and almond trees.

The forestry department said the fire was probably caused by wires that short-circuited.

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