A massive fire has swept through the village of Malia in the Limassol district, forcing residents to evacuate their homes as the blaze destroyed houses and spread rapidly through the community.
Community leader Marilena Athini said residents were forced to abandon their homes as the fire entered the village, with houses currently burning. The situation has been declared “extremely critical” and “out of control” for over an hour, according to local officials.
The Fire Service has deployed six staffed fire engines from Limassol City and District Fire Stations, supported by two vehicles from the Forestry Department and two from the volunteer group Support cy. The “ICARUS II” protocol has been implemented, with eight aerial firefighting aircraft and one British Bases aircraft requested to assist operations.
Police have closed the Malia-Omodos and Malia-Arsos roads to traffic due to the fire. Fire Service spokesman Andreas Kettis confirmed crews are conducting house evacuations whilst Civil Defence and Police evacuation teams mobilise.
The blaze has now spread to the neighbouring village of Vasa Koilaniou, which is currently burning, community leader Michalis Mosfilis confirmed. Weather conditions remain highly adverse, with communities of Potamiou and Omodos under threat from the advancing fire.
According to weather reports, temperatures in Malia have reached 38.3 degrees Celsius with relative humidity below 20 per cent. Moderate south-westerly winds of force 5 continue, with gusts reaching force 8, contributing to the fire’s rapid spread.
The affected villages are located within the Troodos wine region, an area containing numerous vineyards.
The Pachna Community Council has opened the “Georgios Markantonis” Multipurpose Hall to accommodate evacuated residents, providing air conditioning and refreshments.
Athini confirmed Civil Defence has been present “from the first moment” and said the fire originated near the river before spreading into the village.
Read more:
