Pafos Live 5 July 2024
Broken glass found in the area of the fire in Pelathousa is believed to be the cause of its occurrence, according to Paphos Assistant Police Director of Operations Michalis Nicolaou.
In statements to CNA, Nicolaou said that the fire in the area of Pelathousa that broke out at 13:35 on Thursday afternoon was allegedly caused due to the presence at the site of broken glass found as part of its event investigation and due to reflection with the sun's rays.
Nicolaou urged the public not to discard such materials in the countryside as, as he said, "the presence of glass combined with the sun's rays cause a spark", which has happened before, he added.
It is noted that according to the Director of the Department of Forests, Savvas Ezekiel, the fire in Pelathousa burned dry grass, reeds and wild vegetation.
To extinguish it, he continued, forces including three cadet trucks of the Department of Forests, a dozer, five fire trucks, twenty employees and forest firefighters, four planes and twelve people managed to secure it by bringing it under control in a short time.
According to a post by the Fire Brigade Spokesperson Andreas Kettis in X, last night the Polis Chrysochous Station and the Stroumbi Rural Station responded with three fire trucks for a fire in dry grass and low wild vegetation between the community of Steni and Polis Chrysochous.
Ground forces were also reinforced by the Department of Forests, he says, adding that four aerial means and agricultural tractors responded to contain the fire.
The fire was brought under control after burning a total area of about three hectares, Kettis said, adding that dry grass, wild vegetation, trees, irrigation hoses and two tin huts were burned.
