Limassol state forest blaze caused by flare, Minister says

A blaze at the Limassol state forest which started early on Wednesday morning and subsided in the evening was caused by a flare, during a controlled combustion operation of flares and smoke canisters by the Mines and Quarries Service, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Minister Maria Panayiotou said. In statements at the firefighting coordination centre, set up, at Vasa Kellakiou local council, Panayiotou said she would ask for an administrative enquiry into the matter and the possibility of placing the Director of the Service under suspension. She urged everyone to be very careful because this is a very difficult summer and additional aerial aircraft are not expected to be delivered to Cyprus before June. The blaze, Panayiotou said, "was caused by a flare, during a controlled combustion operation to destroy flares and smoke canisters by the Mines and Quarries Service." "I have given the Permanent Secretary instructions to go ahead with an administrative enquiry and to look into the possibilit y of placing under suspension the Director of the Mines and Quarries Service," she added. About 150 fire fighting personnel from various departments, 29 various vehicles and three aircraft have been working to place the fire under control. Firefighting personnel would remain in the area overnight. Source: Cyprus News Agency