kalo chorio — Firefighters will remain vigilant in the area surrounding the military firing range near Kalo Chorio, Larnaca, overnight to manage possible flareups, as confirmed by chief fire officer Nikos Longinos. The fire brigade arrived at the scene just seven minutes after receiving the alarm at 12.27pm.
Longinos highlighted the challenges faced by the firefighters due to strong winds and the rugged terrain. “Tackling the fire has not been easy, with the intensity of the winds complicating our efforts,” he stated. As the flames spread, a minor civilian injury was reported, underscoring the potential dangers posed by the incident.
In response to the unfolding situation, civil defence units were mobilised to assist in evacuating residents from nearby villages, including Ayia Anna and Psevdas. However, Ayia Anna mukhtar Anastasis Georgiou noted that the CYAlert emergency warning system failed to notify villagers until 5.20pm, raising concerns about the timeliness of the alerts.
Longinos confirmed that the fire originated within the firing range, but refrained from providing further details, stating, “Statements have been made by the defence minister on the matter, so I will remain committed to speaking about our own actions, along with those of the other competent services.” The chief fire officer stated that once the fire reached the perimeter of the range, elevated wind speeds and nearby vegetation contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
To combat the fire, helicopters were deployed to tackle the blaze in difficult areas, using retardant to create barriers and prevent uncontrolled spread towards populated zones. Longinos urged the public to exercise extreme caution, warning that even a single spark could lead to significant disasters. The coming days are expected to present further challenges due to high temperatures and strong winds.
Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas has ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire, stating that those responsible are identifiable. “The responsibility lies with the 70th engineers’ battalion,” he asserted, emphasising the need for accountability. He indicated that developments regarding the investigation would emerge within days, suggesting that the battalion should have sought higher command approval before conducting live fire exercises.
