Fire Breaks Out Near Pentakomo Amid Higher Risk

A fire which broke out near Pentakomo's Trikkis Palace spread more quickly because heavier rainfall through winter has encouraged abundant plant growth, said a Limassol fire-station spokesman.

The fire spread frighteningly fast, from a small puff of smoke by the roadside to a full-fledged blaze within two minutes.

"I was driving past the area by chance when I saw a puff of smoke by the roadside. By the time I had turned my car around and called the fire service, it had spread through the dry grass and shrubs, moving towards houses and a wedding reception place nearby," said reporter Sarah Fenwick.

Within 10 minutes, a fire engine had arrived and started extinguishing the fire.

"No one was hurt, the fire is out now, but there is more danger after our wet winter and much more plant growth than usual," said the fire-station spokesman.

It is likely that the fire was started by someone throwing their lit cigarette out of the window, because starting point was right on the side of the old road between Limassol and Nicosia. The spokesman urged drivers to be extra careful and to immediately call in any fires they see.

 Last year, there were 7,160 fires around the island, One-third of the fires were caused on purpose, 20 percent were caused by people burning garbage, and 10 percent of fires were caused by people throwing lit cigarettes onto dry grass and shrubbery.

Fourteen of the fires were set by arsonists, according to the survey.

Overall, 64 percent of the fires in 2010 were caused by people and could have been avoided.