limassol factory — limassol factory — A 43-year-old former employee was arrested on Wednesday after a devastating factory fire in Ypsonas, Limassol, led to residential evacuations and a series of explosions throughout the night.
- The community is left grappling with the aftermath of the fire, which not only endangered lives but also raised questions about safety regulations in industrial settings.
The fire at the paper storage and processing facility ignited shortly before 2:00 am local time. Emergency services swiftly evacuated nearby homes as flames engulfed the building, with two residential properties sustaining damage to their external areas.
Authorities took the former employee into custody following a statement from the factory owner, who expressed suspicions regarding the fire’s origin and named the man as a potential suspect. After thorough examination by Limassol CID investigators, the arrest was made in connection with the incident.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with loud explosions reported around 2:20 am. One local resident recounted, “The explosions were very loud, and shortly after we saw the factory engulfed in flames.” The sight of thick smoke and flames triggered significant concern among residents, amplifying the urgency of the response.
Strong firefighting forces were deployed to combat the blaze. Fire Service spokesman Andreas Kettis stated, “We responded immediately from Limassol stations, reinforced by EMAK and a vehicle from the British Bases. A total of 10 fire engines were operating.” However, the fire had reached full development by the time firefighters arrived due to the combustible materials stored at the facility.
Firefighters faced intense challenges as they attempted to suppress the fire from outside. Kettis noted, “The thermal load was enormous. It was impossible to enter inside the factory.” Their primary focus shifted to safeguarding adjacent residential properties, as the flames threatened to spread further.
The presence of gas canisters within the factory added to the peril. Kettis explained, “There were continuous explosions, with these gas canisters being catapulted. The firefighters were in danger.” The Fire Service was unaware of the canisters’ existence, as the facility was only approved for paper storage operations, raising concerns about safety compliance.
By early morning, firefighters successfully brought the fire under control, although investigations by police and fire services continue to determine the fire’s exact cause. The Limassol-Paphos motorway, initially closed due to safety concerns, was reopened following the containment, but the road section adjacent to the factory remains closed while the scene is secured.
Local residents expressed their fears and anxiety throughout the ordeal. One described the overwhelming smell of burning in the air and a stinging sensation from the smoke. “There is a strong smell of burning in the air and a stinging sensation in our eyes from the smoke,” they recounted, highlighting the incident’s health risks.
The community is left grappling with the aftermath of the fire, which not only endangered lives but also raised questions about safety regulations in industrial settings.
