NICOSIA, Jun 13 (NNN-CNA) – An international team has joined Cypriot firefighters, to battle a stubborn fire that has been raging for 36 hours in the country, with Greece and Jordan both sending aircraft to the western mountainous Paphos district, local authorities said, yesterday.
Andreas Kettis, spokesperson of the Cypriot Fire Service, said, the firefighters were still faced with large flare-ups, due to strong winds and extremely high temperatures, which reached 41 degrees Celsius in some areas.
Fire Chief Officer, Nikos Logginos, told the national CyBC radio that, he was hopeful the fire would be brought under control by nightfall, adding that, firefighters were using heavy earth-moving machinery to create access to the troubled region.
According to Kettis, the fire has destroyed vegetation over more than eight square kilometres and burned down two houses and several animal farms, as it raced through the scenic terrain. At least 24 other houses have been damaged, he added.
Residents of five villages that had been evacuated overnight were allowed to return home yesterday, only to find out that their vineyards and orchards were destroyed.
The government said, officials would be sent to the area to record property damages.– NNN-CNA