Newsroom
A fire that broke out Sunday morning at a two-story styrofoam factory in the Aradippou Free Industrial Zone has turned tragic after a severely charred body was discovered on the ground floor.
The victim is believed to be a 63-year-old Greek Cypriot man who had been working at the factory along with four others to carry out emergency maintenance. Due to the condition of the remains, authorities have not yet been able to confirm the identity of the deceased. Once recovered, the body will undergo DNA testing for formal identification.
Reports indicate that at the time of the fire, the factory owner, three employees, and a contractor performing electrical repairs were present on the first floor. While all five managed to escape, the contractor was reported missing, leading to suspicions about the identity of the deceased.
The four individuals who evacuated the building were transported to Larnaca General Hospital as a precaution due to smoke inhalation.
The Larnaca Police Chief attended the scene, members of the Larnaca Crime Investigation Department, officers from the Kiti Police Station, and officials from the labor inspection department and the Electricity Authority, who cut the factory's power supply to secure the area.
Firefighters contained the blaze at 2:50 p.m., though a fire engine remained on-site due to the risk of flare-ups. The area has been cordoned off for further examination, with additional forensic tests expected today.
The extent of the damage remains unknown, but the facility is reportedly insured.
[Information sourced from 24 News]
