Firefighters backed by aerial units and volunteers contained a wildfire that erupted near the Agios Sylas industrial area on Thursday morning.
The blaze threatened factories and forced the evacuation of the area.
The fire front shifted northwest towards the Alassa water reservoir in the afternoon, prompting four firefighting aircraft to battle the flames. Jordanian aerial resources were unavailable due to operational constraints.
The incident revived memories of a devastating fire in Alassa last year. Phileleftheros reported concerns over a delayed initial response and strong winds that hampered firefighting efforts.
A witness, Georgia Ioannou, criticised the alleged delay, stating only a small fire truck arrived initially.
“The Fire Service was late, allowing the fire to cross to the opposite side of the road.” She emphasised that after a fire truck made a few drops and left, the fire intensified exponentially. “Unfortunately, there was a delay. If they had arrived on time, this extensive damage could have been prevented,” she lamented.
The fire highlighted renewed calls from Agios Sylas industrialists for a fire station and a second exit route. Association president Pavlos Paradisiotis stressed the need for improved fire prevention measures and a more comprehensive safety plan for the area.
“While progress has been made, more needs to be done to ensure the area’s safety comprehensively,” he said.
Fire Service spokesperson Andreas Kettis confirmed the blaze was contained late Thursday.
Firefighters remained on site overnight to monitor the perimeter. Initial estimates suggest the fire-ravaged six square kilometres.
The blaze forced mandatory evacuations and caused damage to buildings and agricultural land. Twenty-four fire engines from various agencies, including the Fire Service, Department of Forests, and Civil Defense, participated in the operation.
Aerial support came from aircraft belonging to the Department of Forests, the National Guard, and the British Bases. Volunteer groups and heavy machinery also played a crucial role in extinguishing the fire.
