Threat over from lab fire in the north

By Tahsin Eroglu

Air pollution caused from a fire in the ‘state’ lab in Nicosia in the north on Thursday night was dispersed due to rain and winds and it is no longer a threat to human health, authorities of the breakaway regime said on Friday.

A warning was issued on Thursday night in the north, urging members of the public to stay inside as the fumes caused from a fire at the ‘state’ lab in Nicosia that destroyed the chemicals kept at the warehouse, were deemed as harmful to health.

The fire, according to reports in the north, broke out at around 7pm, and was put out by the fire service and civil defence in around two hours. There were also explosions. The fumes mainly affected Kaymakli, Neapolis, and Trachonas.

An investigation was launched to determine the cause of the fire.

Due to the burning of chemicals thick fume clouds were formed, and authorities had urged members of the public to keep clear of the area, as a precaution, and for vulnerable groups to remain inside.

According to reports, residents of the area where the laboratory is situated informed the fire brigade of the situation which indicates that there was no automatic fire extinguishing system installed in the building.

Health authorities in the north said that experts from Turkey will be invited to repair the equipment.

‘Minister’ of health Faiz Sucuoğlu said no one was negatively affected by the smoke. The firemen, he said, used oxygen masks while two ambulances awaited at the scene of the event in case of injuries. He added that it was possible that the fire started from the switchboard.

 

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