Limassol fire: Arsos community leader reports seeing many fires in recent days, as police
Source: in-cyprus.com
Police are investigating whether the deadly wildfire in Limassol was deliberately set as authorities confirmed two victims were a Greek Cypriot couple from Monagri who died attempting to flee the flames, Force spokesperson Kyriaki Lambrianidou told the Cyprus News Agency.
The couple’s vehicle was engulfed by fire under circumstances still being investigated, resulting in their deaths. DNA identification will follow, authorities said. The burnt vehicle containing two charred bodies was moved this morning.
Fifty-three homes have been officially reported as damaged by the fire, with 32 completely destroyed.
Community leader cites repeated incidents
Arsos Community Council President Giannakis Giannaki expressed suspicions about the fire that began yesterday near Malia community, citing recent incidents in the area.
“Fire outbreaks occurred in previous days in the region and were dealt with by resources available to neighbouring community councils,” Giannaki said, adding that “the most recent fire outbreak was detected last Sunday.”
He suggested “the danger that could arise from fire breaking out there was probably underestimated.”
Giannaki described efforts to prevent flames reaching Arsos residential areas, noting the fire “was kept throughout Wednesday night until Thursday morning by efforts of volunteers and the community council.”
“From 5:30 pm Wednesday the village had been left without support from state services,” he said.
He explained that aerial firefighting units operated around 4 pm yesterday before departing, though he “insisted they should persist there.” Following their withdrawal, “there was reignition in two phases,” initially around 10:30 pm Wednesday and again around 5:30 am Thursday.
“From this morning the presence of firefighting forces in the area increased,” Giannakis said, noting the fire remains distant from Arsos after burning mainly wild vegetation areas.
“The generator transferred there by EAC mainly covers electricity supply to the village centre,” he added.
Asked to confirm reports the fire may have been started maliciously, Lambrianidou said investigators secured testimony from a citizen suggesting the blaze could have been set deliberately.
Limassol CID investigators are examining all potential witness statements. The spokesperson appealed for citizens with information to contact authorities on 25 805383 or 25 805057.
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