A series of unrelated fires have erupted across Cyprus in recent days, prompting investigations by law enforcement and the Fire Service into the causes, with suspicious elements emerging in at least one incident. From the industrial heartlands of Paphos to the rural tranquility of Larnaca and the bustling districts of Limassol, these conflagrations have resulted in significant property damage and raised concerns among residents and officials alike.
The most alarming of these incidents occurred in Paphos early on Saturday morning, January 3, 2026. At approximately 4:15 a.m., a blaze broke out in an industrial area, engulfing a lorry, a trailer, and a car parked nearby. Michalis Nikolaou, assistant operations director for the Paphos police, indicated that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been intentionally ignited. He revealed that the lorry had been treated with "flammable material," a detail that has significantly heightened the police's suspicion of arson. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene and managed to subdue the inferno, but the damage was catastrophic, leaving the vehicles completely destroyed. Investigations into this incident are ongoing.
Earlier, on Friday morning, January 2, 2026, around 10:30 a.m., another fire caused considerable damage in the Larnaca district. In the village of Avdellero, an outhouse situated adjacent to the Ayia Marina church became the focal point of a significant fire. A single fire engine responded to the emergency, but the structure suffered extensive damage and ultimately collapsed. The contents of the outhouse were also severely affected. Andreas Kettis, a spokesman for the Fire Brigade, stated that the cause of this fire remains undetermined, and that "no safe conclusions" could be drawn at this stage. Authorities are continuing their efforts to ascertain the origin of the blaze.
The Limassol district also experienced multiple fire incidents on Friday evening and night. Just before 9:00 p.m., a car parked in an open area outside a car parts shop in the Omonia area caught fire. Two fire trucks were deployed to combat the flames, which were largely confined to the vehicle's engine compartment. The cause of this particular fire was identified as a short circuit. However, later that night, at 11:53 p.m., another open space in Limassol became the scene of a moped fire. The Fire Service attended to this incident, and while the vehicle sustained substantial damage, the precise extent of the impact has not yet been fully assessed, nor has the cause been specified.
Collectively, these fires paint a picture of a series of unfortunate events across the island. While the Limassol car fire has a clear, albeit accidental, cause, the deliberate nature suggested by the Paphos incident and the unresolved circumstances in Larnaca necessitate thorough and persistent investigation. The Cyprus Police and Fire Service are committed to uncovering the truth behind each of these blazes, ensuring public safety and accountability. The coming days are expected to shed further light on these unsettling events that have disrupted the peace across various Cypriot communities.