Storms prompt fire brigade callouts as person rescued from car on flooded road

Nicosia, Cyprus. Firefighters handled dozens of calls on Wednesday, mostly linked to storms, including rescuing someone trapped inside a car on a flooded road, the fire brigade reported. Its Thursday announcement recorded 78 calls over the 24 hours ending at 6am that day.

Storm-related incidents

The brigade said 13 flood-related calls concerned Nicosia, Larnaca and Paphos districts. These mainly involved basements affected by flooding, rainwater drains that were blocked, trees that had fallen, electrical lines emitting sparks and a burning tree.

Crews from district authorities helped firefighters respond, according to the announcement.

The brigade’s figures for the period between 6am Wednesday and 6am Thursday comprised 27 fires, 46 special-service calls and five false alarms. The 13 flood-related incidents were included in the special-service total.

Kitchen fire in Latsia

The brigade reported receiving a call at 7.04am on Wednesday about a fire in a flat on the first floor in Latsia, Nicosia. A pan left unattended started the blaze, which reached wooden fittings in the kitchen before firefighters brought it under control at 7.27am.

Two people were inside the flat, and firefighters assisted one of them out, the announcement said.

Vehicle fire closes highway section

In a separate incident, the brigade said it was called at 5.47pm on Wednesday to a vehicle fire before the Moni exit on the Limassol-Nicosia highway. Firefighters had the blaze under control by 6.18pm.

According to the announcement, the vehicle caught fire after hitting the protective barrier. The driver escaped unhurt, but the vehicle sustained extensive damage.

The brigade said dense smoke prompted police to shut a section of the highway temporarily. Police are investigating how the accident happened.