Groups condemn Academy Park fire

Environmental activists are calling for local authorities to take action following a fire earlier this week that destroyed a part of a playground at a popular Nicosia park.

Following a fire at Nicosia’s Academy Park on Monday, environmental activists are joining forces with park advocates to condemn the incident and call on authorities to take measures to prevent arson attacks and restore damaged areas.

The fire broke out on Monday afternoon around 2:35 at the Pedagogical Academy National Forest Park, known as the capital’s Academy Park, Aglandjia municipality, with groups quickly speaking out and calling it an arson attack.

One group, an advocate for the local park, took to social media to condemn late night acts of vandalism and the destruction of bird nests and the killing of younglings, adding that pyromaniacs were trying to rule the day with what they described as Monday’s arson attack.

Another environmental group also spoke out against the incident, calling on authorities to take additional measures to protect the park and forest parks elsewhere, adding that they expect the Aglandjia municipality to make sure all damages are repaired.

Police said they were investigating the cause of the fire.