Mal intent behind Tilliria blaze

Officials believe a fire that broke out in Tilliria Wednesday evening was most likely the result of a malicious act, where 30 hectares of pine tree forest were burned down.

A fire that started at 8pm on Wednesday in Ayios Andronikos, in the Pano Pyrgos area in Tilliria, was raging out of control from the first moment according to media reports, until it was quickly confined in one area due to the natural landscape.

But the fire was not fully contained until 1am, according to officials, who said they believed arson was involved. 

Local community leader Nikos Kleanthous told CNA that the fire was hard to contain but noted “it was a good thing that there were no sheds in the area.”

Pine trees, shrubbery and other forms of wild vegetation were burned down according to reports.

One hundred men and eleven fire engines from the Forestry Department were joined by 5 earthmovers during the operation, while three fire trucks were also at the scene.

Reinforces were called in from nearby community stations, including Kampos, Gialia, and Stavros, according to CNA News Agency.

A partial evacuation of an army post also took place for precautionary reasons, according to Andreas Christou, a forestry department administrator.

“The effort to put the fire out was very difficult due to the inaccessibility of the area,” Christou said.