A fire which broke out near Turkish-held Lefka and spread to the buffer zone near Apliki has been completely contained, the Forestry Department has announced.
The fire which broke out around 14.20 near Lefka and spread to the buffer zone was extinguished at around 19.00 having burned about four hectares of low, wild vegetation, bushes and some pine tees within the buffer zone. It also burned about six hectares in the Turkish-occupied areas.
A total of 75 fire fighters from the Forestry Department in 22 fire trucks, seven from the fire service with three fire trucks and 10 volunteers did battle with the blaze.
They were assisted by a fire truck with a crew of three from Kykkos Monastery and five fire fighting aircraft.
The area is under the jurisdiction of the Forestry Department which said there was full cooperation with UNFICYP both as regards operations on land and by air.
Fire fighters will remain on site overnight to prevent a flare up.
(File photo)
