A year after the largest fire near Limassol: 91 families still have not returned home

Exactly one year ago, on 23 July 2025, the largest fire in Cyprus’s modern history broke out in the mountainous areas of Limassol. The fire claimed the lives of an elderly couple, completely destroyed 211 homes, damaged another 440 buildings and burned through around 125 square kilometres of land across 15 communities.

A year later, 91 families are still not living in their own homes — they are staying in rented accommodation with state support.

According to the investigation, the fire was caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette. American specialists who studied the spread of the fire noted that the area’s difficult terrain was one of the main factors behind the flames spreading rapidly in all directions.

Commissioner for the Development of Mountain Communities Charalambos Christofinas said the area was gradually returning to normal life, but that full recovery would come only when the last affected resident was able to return to a restored home.

About €63 million was allocated for recovery programmes, of which €28 million has already been spent. Electricity and water supplies were restored soon after the fire, while affected residents were exempted from taxes for one year.

Most of the 931 applications concerning destroyed or damaged property have already been reviewed. Additional payments are available for underinsured homes, while owners of illegal structures were given the opportunity to regularise their documents in order to receive compensation.

Affected residents say that assistance was provided: permanent residents received €10,000, as well as €2,000 for each dependent. The company XM provided additional support to families.

However, residents continue to criticise the lack of a timely evacuation warning. One affected resident said that his family decided to leave the house on its own, managing to take only their documents, one bag and the dog.

Following the tragedy, residents are calling for regular clearing of areas, the creation of firebreaks, a faster response from the services and a fully functioning warning system.

One element of the region’s recovery has been the revival of vineyards. The Ministry of Agriculture is allocating about €23 million to restore agriculture and plant vineyards, which are expected to become a natural barrier to the spread of fire.

At present, Cyprus is under a red fire danger alert because of the intense heat.