Cyprus Mail 7 September 2025 - by Katy Turner
A large fire that broke out near Mouttayiaka in Limassol on Sunday around noon and moved towards the village was contained by around 6pm, the fire service said.
From around noon, 11 fire engines fought the blaze from stations in Limassol, Larnaca, Nicosia and the Vasiliko energy plant.
In addition, 11 aircraft were also involved in fighting the fire.
At one point the fire was close to homes in the area and could be seen from the highway.
Firefighters were able to protect both homes and farms in the area before they were overtaken by flames.
The fire service was supported by 10 fire engines and 62 firefighters from the forestry department, Civil Defence, water carriers from the district office, the police, the game fund and volunteers from KitasWeather, SupportCy, ETEA, SOS and Rescue 1.
The Ikarus 2 and Pyrsos protocols were put into action and an Advanced Command Center set up, the fire service said.
The cause of the fire is expected to be established after it has been completely put out.
A strong force of firefighters will remain in the area overnight to contain any flare ups.
Update - Filenews 8 September
The investigations of the investigative team of the Limassol TAE are in full progress regarding the causes of the large fire that broke out at noon on Sunday (7/9) in the area of Moutagiaka. According to information obtained by philenews, the Fire Department was given several pieces of information about the conditions under which the fire started.
Among them, there is talk of seeing young people north of the school of Moutagiaka, at a close distance from the point where the fire seems to have started.
This information was transmitted and is already under investigation by the authorities, who have also identified the exact starting point of the fire.
The fire was contained around 18:00 on Sunday afternoon, after a large operation in which 11 aerial vehicles participated as the TORSOS and Ikaros 2 Plans were activated.
Also 11 fire trucks from the Fire Service from the Fire Stations of Limassol, Nicosia, Larnaca and Pyr districts participated. Vassiliko Station. The Fire Service was supported by the Forestry Department with 10 fire trucks, 1 portable firefighting unit, 62 personnel and the Director of the Forestry Department in the area, the Game and Fauna Service with 2 portable firefighting units, the Limassol District Administration with a chain vehicle and water trucks, the Police, the Civil Defense, as well as the volunteer groups Kitas Weather, SupportCY, ETEA, SOS and Rescue1.
During the fire, individual houses and premises were endangered, which were finally protected thanks to the coordinated action of the services, but also to the mobilization of the residents of the area, who participated in the extinguishing effort with buckets and branches.
Forces remain in the area due to the increased risk of flare-ups. Investigations into the exact causes of the fire continue, with the authorities not ruling out the possibility of arson.
