Seven fire trucks from Limassol and Larnaca’s fire services were joined by assistance from the occupied areas ‘authorities’ to help extinguish the blaze at Mari’s Vasilikos Power Station, SigmaLive learnt on Thursday morning.
A fire broke out within the power plant’s Block 3 station after works went wrong on a desulphurisation unit on Wednesday, reported CNA English.
Authorities were reportedly struggling to put out the blaze as it managed to spread through the three-storey structure, fuelled by flammable materials.
Fire Services used foam to finally extinguish the blaze at around just after 7pm, according to an official press release issued by the Fire Authorities.
Relevant authorities, including Cyprus’ Electricity Authority, are investigating.
MARI BLAST
Wednesday’s fire at the power plant saw concerns resurface regarding the island’s electricity supplies, five years on from a deadly blast that saw almost all Cyprus’ power wiped out.
On July 11, 2011 a blast at the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base killed 13 people after 98 containers holding explosives, stored for two-and-a-half years in the sun, exploded.
The explosion severely damaged numerous nearby buildings, including almost decimating Zygi village and the island’s largest power station, responsible for supplying over half its electricity.
As a result, most the island was without power in the immediate aftermath and rolling blackouts were initiated in order to conserve supplies.
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