RESIDENTS of Kalavasos yesterday spoke of their grief, 24 hours after two devastating forest fires ravaged areas of the Larnaca district.
Upon entering the village, the strong smell of burning was almost overwhelming, while at least three separate areas on a hillside could still be seen smouldering.
Eight elderly men sat outside the village coffee shop reflecting on Monday’s fire, which left ten square kilometres of farmland, trees and wild shrub destroyed.
“We are in complete shock and can’t believe what’s happened,” one man told us, choking back tears.
Another said that the scenes in the village resembled those in the Iraq war, with flames, smoke and complete panic.
“A thick blanket of smoke enveloped all of us and we couldn’t see and could hardly breathe,” the man added. “Flames were making their way into several homes and we were rushing to help evacuate children and the elderly. Women were screaming and several were fainting at our feet.”
He added that strong winds were blowing debris wildly into the air, with trees burning all around them.
“As darkness fell, we could even see the hillside glowing red, with several other small fires igniting.”
Another man, who has lived in the village for 60 years, insisted on showing me the ruins of a burnt-out house.
As we climbed the top of a hill, the smell of burning grew even stronger and the air temperature rose noticeably.
Ash covered the area, while parts of the corrugated iron roof had been ripped off and lay twisted and charred on the floor.
A washing machine had melted away, as had several kitchen drawers.
“It’s a miracle nobody was killed or seriously injured, “ he said.
Upon returning to the coffee shop, the men criticised the Fire Services, saying they were too quick to leave the scene.
“As soon as the fire was brought under control, they were off,” one man said, “They should have stayed to make sure everything was OK and that no more fires started. Nevertheless, however much we criticise them, what’s done is done and no words can bring the village back to the state it was in beforehand.”
Local press reports also stated that a police Bell helicopter had to be withdrawn from the fire fighting effort after one of its engines overheated
President of the Kalavasos Community Council Michalis Soteriou said that when two fire-fighting helicopters left on Monday, the fire had already died down and the wind had directed it towards Mosphiloti village, where it was burning out of control. However, the wind changed and the subsequent whirlwinds brought it back to the edge of Kalavasos.
A spokesman for the Fire Services refuted the residents’ criticisms.
“A team remained in the village throughout Monday night and all through Tuesday,” said George Vouvakos. “Our job was to ensure the safety of everybody and to be on the scene in case any further fires broke out.”
“I cannot put into words my emotions right now,” one elderly village resident said. “I haven’t felt so low since the Turkish invasion.”
