Warning after 72 fires in two days

THE Fire Service yesterday warned the public to be vigilant against fires both in the countryside and in offices and homes, after having to battle with 72 fires over the weekend.

One fire at a research office in an apartment block in Nicosia on Saturday almost threatened the lives of two people who were stuck in the floor above the offices. The fire was most likely started after a short circuit of the electrical appliances.

Fire Service spokeswoman Eliza Kemidji called on the public to show great care and follow the instructions on electrical appliances. She also called on people to switch off all plugs of electrical appliances when they are not in use, particularly when they are on weekends away or abroad. This also applies to fridges and television sets, she said, adding that the standby option on computers and TVs should be avoided when leaving the building.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.