Four fires extinguished in Paphos area on Saturday

The fire service extinguished four fires set by individuals in Paphos on Saturday, authorities said.

The fires hit an area between Peyia and Kathikas, two areas in Chlorakas, and the industrial area in Paphos, on Saturday morning, the fire service said.

The largest fire was in Peyia and Kathikas, where flames burnt 4,000 square metres of fields with wheat, 1,000 square metres of brush, and 5,000 square metres of carob trees.  The fire service said that it managed to put out the fire before it reached a forest area and homes in Kathikas.

The two in Chlorakas and the one at the industrial zone burnt brush.

The first indications showed that the fires seemed to have been caused by people.

On Friday, crews snuffed out several fires in the Limassol area.  The fire service spokesman, Andreas Kettis said that two of the blazes near the Limassol and Paphos tunnel may have been a malicious act.

Another fire in Vouni, Limassol was caused when a man parked his car on dry grass.  It seems that the overheated exhaust of the car sparked the fire when it came into contact with the grass and a result, the car was destroyed. The fire spread and burned around 4,000 square metres before it was put out, Kettis said.

The service later issued an appeal to the public to avoid lighting fires outside, unless it was a designated area, and be cautious where they park their cars.

It also urged people to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.