Firefighters battled the flames for seven hours yesterday at the site of a major fire that broke out at a frozen food factory in the Aradippou industrial area. As a precaution, three firefighters were taken to Larnaca Hospital with symptoms of heat exhaustion and respiratory problems following their prolonged efforts. 

According to a statement from the Fire Department, the call regarding the fire was received at 1:22, and it was brought under control at 20:53, with firefighters managing to protect neighboring factories that were at risk.

Fire stations from the Larnaca and Nicosia districts, along with the Special Disaster Response Unit (EMAK), responded immediately to the scene with eight fire trucks, two breathing apparatus vehicles, one hydraulic telescopic platform, and the mobile command center of the Fire Service Headquarters.

The Fire Service was also supported by the Forestry Department and the Larnaca District Administration, which each provided a water tanker, an inspector from the Labor Inspection Department, an on-call crew from the Cyprus Electricity Authority (AHK), and the Ambulance Service with a vehicle on standby. 

Due to the fire and the heat, the factory and its contents sustained extensive damage before the fire was brought under control at 8:53 p.m., while neighboring factories were also at risk and had to be protected. 

Meanwhile, firefighters remained on alert throughout the night as the fire kept flaring up, as shown in the video below.

Speaking on the Alpha News program, Fire Department Spokesperson Andreas Kettis, said that it was a rather difficult situation because the factory contained materials that are very difficult to extinguish, which is why the fire kept reigniting.

Furthermore, adjacent to the factory were storage areas for polystyrene, storage areas for mushrooms, storage areas for iron and motorcycles; consequently, the Fire Department was concerned with preventing the fire from spreading to neighboring properties. However, the Service’s primary concern, as he said, was to determine whether anyone was trapped inside the factory so they could be rescued. Fortunately, however, all employees had managed to evacuate the premises before the fire spread.

At the same time, as Mr. Kettis explained, inside the factory there were several large freezers insulated with highly flammable materials that are difficult to manage in the event of a fire. In addition, there was the packaging area, which also contained flammable materials.

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