Troodos fire brought rapidly under control

SIX HECTARES of forest land were burnt down yesterday after a fire broke out in the Troodos area, police said.

The blaze was first spotted by Forestry Department personnel at around 4.30pm in the Karoudes area, which lies between Platres and Trooditissa.

Over 140 men from the fire service, the Game and Wildlife Fund, police and citizens battled to put out the fire, which initially appeared to threaten the mountain range.

Twenty-five fire-engines, three helicopters and a fire fighting airplane were also immediately dispatched to the scene.

Due to favourable wind conditions, the fire was brought under control relatively easily but not before a children’s summer camp organised by the Democratic Labour Federation of Cyprus (DEOK) was evacuated.

Although the camp was not immediately threatened by the roaring blaze, the 140 or so children attending the camp were transferred to Omodos as a precautionary measure.

Private residences in the Platres area as well as houses belonging to the Electricity Authority were jeopardised but the fire was put out before they suffered any damage.

Fire fighters planned to remain in the area last night and today to protect against the chances of possible new outbreaks.

Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by human negligence.

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