Lightning sparks fires in Avgorou and Kokkinotrimithia as emergency services respond to around ten calls

Severe thunderstorms that swept across Cyprus on Saturday caused a series of fires: lightning set fire to an outbuilding at a residential property in Avgorou (Avgorou), and shortly afterwards another strike hit a structure near the secondary school in Kokkinotrimithia (Kokkinotrimithia). Emergency services recorded around ten incidents in Nicosia District alone.

In Avgorou, lightning struck an outbuilding adjoining a residential property. A fire broke out, while smoke and combustion products entered the rooms and posed a threat to the people inside. Firefighters, police and an ambulance crew were dispatched to the scene, and an operation was launched to evacuate residents and put out the fire.

Neighbours also rushed to help, including by removing pets from the smoke-filled area.

In Kokkinotrimithia, a lightning strike hit a structure next to the secondary school building. The fire quickly intensified, thick smoke rose above the site, and the scale of the blaze was captured on video by eyewitnesses.

In addition to the fires, emergency services are reporting fallen trees and objects blown down by the wind, as well as sparking on electrical wires — in some cases, this was the cause of the fires. Power outages have been reported in the districts of Larnaca, Nicosia and Paphos.

Calls for assistance are coming in large numbers, and emergency crews are working in an enhanced mode. The previous day, the meteorological service issued an orange warning for Saturday over severe thunderstorms accompanied by hail and strong gusty winds.