Cyprus authorities at 'full stretch' battling fires across Limassol

Limassol Fire Services were at full-stretch this weekend after having to deal with at least five fires spread out across the district.

In Ayia Phyl, two children were rescued by their housekeeper after a fire broke out on a sofa within the two-storey home’s living room.

A neighbour made an attempt to evacuate the children from the home but failed to do so due to the thick and hot smoke.

The housekeeper then decided to make an attempt to evacuate the children from their ground-floor bedroom and was fortunately able to do so, reported SigmaLive Greek.

Authorities were alerted to the fire at around 10:10pm on Saturday night, dispatching three fire trucks to put out the fumes.

First Aid was given to the children and housekeeper from firemen as they inhaled smoke, with them then being transferred by ambulance to Limassol General Hospital where they were held for treatment.

The childrens parents were not at home when the incident took place.

PAREKKLISIA FIRE

On Sunday, at least six hectares of land were destroyed after a fire engulfed Parekklisia.

25 firefighters battled the blaze and were able to ‘control’ it using 10 fire trucks, two tractors and planes.

Firemen have decided to stay within the area overnight in case any revivals occur.

LOFOU BLAZE

Meanwhile, 15 trucks, a further four fire trucks from nearby areas, and Forestry Department personnel were battling a fierce blaze in Lofou, also on Sunday.

In addition to the trucks, five planes, plus two from the British Bases, were still attempting to extinguish the blaze as evening approached, reported SigmaLive Greek.

The Lofou blaze has proved tough to control for authorities as it is raging inside an area that has rough terrain and is difficult to access.

SigmaLive Greek learnt that three hunters were rescued by firefighters after they were trapped in a gorge as the fire raged on around them.

Two of the three were rescued by local firefighters, while the third – who was taken to hospital with breathing problems – was rescued by a British Bases fireman.

A car belonging to a hunter was also destroyed.

At least four hectares of land were burnt in Lofou with dry grass, wild vegetation, olive, carob and pine trees feeding the fire.

In June, two firemen died when battling a massive blaze that engulfed the island's mountains areas, mostly across the Troodos mountains.

TWIN CAR INFERNOS

Limassol Fire Services also had to extinguish a fire that engulfed two vehicles, reportedly set off on purpose, reported SigmaLive Greek on Sunday.

Both cars suffered extensive damage from the fires, according to police, which were parked outside the 55-year-old owner’s home.

Police announced that initial tests showed that the fire was maliciously started on one car using combustible materials, which then caught fire to the nearby second vehicle.

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