Massive Arakapas fire now threatens Larnaca villages-NEW videos and pictures (URGENT)

[Paphos Life]

A fire that broke out early this afternoon in the Arakapas village of Limassol, destroying many homes in the community, has also gone through Eptagonia and was nearing the Larnaca district villages of Melini, Vavatsinia and Ayious Vavatsinia, virtually surrounding the communities....

Read the article and chat about it below...

[Dominic]

Another statement:

Written statement by Government Spokesman Marios Pelekanos on the fire in the mountainous areas of Limassol and Larnaca

In relation to the catastrophic fire that is in progress in mountainous areas of the Limassol and Larnaca Provinces, the following are announced:

Due to the criticality of the situation, it was decided to activate the Special National Plan "Hephaestus".

By decision of the competent inter-ministerial Committee and the heads of the involved services, who are in early consultation at the Business Center in Nicosia from early noon, after a meeting that has just been completed, the transfer of the Business Center to the area of ​​Vavatsinia.

The Nicosia Business Center was attended by the Ministers of Interior, Justice, Agriculture, as well as the head of the National Guard on behalf of the Minister of Defense, representatives of the Department of Forestry, Police, Fire Department, the Citizen's Commissioner, the Government Spokesperson Press conference of the President of the Republic.

The fire started from the village of Arakapas and spread to the communities of Eptagonia, Oras, Melini, Sykopetra, Odos, Agioi Vavatsinias and Vavatsinias. The task of extinguishing the fire is extremely difficult, due to its large area and especially its very large perimeter.

In order to deal with the fire, in addition to the ground forces, all the aircraft of the Republic of Cyprus and the British Bases are operating, as well as aircraft and ground means of the National Guard, while assistance has been requested for sending aircraft from abroad. Specifically, during the day, two Canadair type aircraft are expected to arrive from Greece and two aircraft from Israel, while reinforcement was requested with four more aircraft, through the European RescEU mechanism.

We reiterate the call of the Police to avoid unnecessary travel in the area of ​​the fire. It is clarified that due to the risk posed by the criticality of the situation, the utilization of the contribution of the volunteers will be announced at a later time.

Our priority is the protection of human lives and then of property and forest land.

The President of the Republic is constantly informed about the situation from the first moment.

[Yioula]

It appears a 67 year old has been arrested in connection with these fires ………..absolutely no words

[Dominic]

Was a reason given? I only ask because I am trying to understand the mentality.

[PhotoLady]

A friend and ex-colleague of mine lives in Eptagoneia and they have been evacuated. She believes they may have lost their home. Interestingly, it's the same house that we also looked at with a friend looking to buy a few months before we came to live in Cyprus.
They have 2 dogs and a friend has put them up for tonight. Hopefully, it's not as bad as she thinks but having seen the photos and video she posted a few hours ago, it looks really bad...

[trevnhil]

I tried to get onto the 'Eastern Forum' this morning to see if there was any local news about the fires.
But sadly I am unable to get onto that group..

[lotus]

Try their Facebook site Trev there's some info on there

[The Aquila]

Was a reason given? I only ask because I am trying to understand the mentality.

He was burning stubble.

[trevnhil]

It doesn't seem that he had much mentality

[The Aquila]

I would assume that the possible charges could also include manslaughter now?

[trevnhil]

So a person, or people died in the fire ???

[The Aquila]

Sadly, 4 Egyptian farm workers have died

[memory man]

So a person, or people died in the fire ???

Yes Trev.

See HERE

[alewfin1]

Was a reason given? I only ask because I am trying to understand the mentality.

Last year I spotted (through binoculars) two schoolboys set fire to undergrowth in Kamares (where the latest fire has destroyed everything).

I informed the Kamares Club who came our very quickly and put the fire out.

The Club officials on their way to the fire stopped the boys in the street but didn't know at the time that they had caused the fire.

These two schoolboys turned out to be English living with their parents in Kamares.

[Paul]

"He was burning stubble."

Pity it was not on his chin!!