A major wildfire was narrowly avoided in Kornos on Sunday after two people allegedly set off fireworks in dry grass in a pine-covered area, according to authorities.
The suspects, a 28-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man from Brazil, were reportedly stopped after a passing couple noticed their actions and intervened.
Their reaction was described as provocative by the Kornos community leader, who said the pair ran towards their vehicle laughing and left the area without attempting to extinguish the fireworks or prevent the fire from spreading.
Fire risk near homes and church
Kornos community leader Stavros Evangelou said the incident occurred in a residential pine area, with the nearest house located around 100 metres away.
He added that a chapel about 500 metres away was holding an evening service at the time, with more than 50 people present.
The two suspects were ordered by the court to remain in custody for eight days.
Authorities are also investigating whether they may be linked to a group involved in similar incidents in the past.
Four fires caused by human activity in five days
The fire in Kornos comes as Cyprus faces increased wildfire risks during the summer months, with high temperatures and environmental conditions creating a dangerous combination.
In the past five days alone, the Fire Service and Forestry Department have responded to four fires believed to have been caused by human activity.
Forestry Department spokesperson Glafkos Kyriakou said forest officials are working closely with investigating authorities by providing technical information, witness statements and operational data to support investigations.
Authorities investigate suspected arson cases
In Paphos on Saturday, the Forestry Department discovered five separate fire outbreaks close to each other and managed to extinguish them before they spread. A complaint was also filed with police.
Authorities are investigating possible malicious action in relation to a fire that broke out on Friday along the Kosi–Athienou road.
Kyriakou said several incidents occurred at significant distances from each other along different parts of the road, indicating possible deliberate action.
In Kellaki, a fire is believed to have started due to negligence after burning charcoal was reportedly thrown into a rubbish bin.
Increased surveillance measures
National Civil Protection Coordinator Nikos Logginos said authorities have introduced additional measures to address the threat of wildfires, including outdoor cameras, continuous patrols, fire lookout posts and the use of drones.
Under Cypriot law, arson in a forest can carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years. However, legal experts note that penalties depend on the circumstances of each case, the evidence presented and any mitigating factors.
Lawyer Simos Angelidis said a conviction for arson can lead to up to 14 years in prison, while cases involving forest fires can carry a maximum sentence of 20 years.
Legal experts also stressed that suspects often deny involvement, meaning authorities must secure strong evidence linking individuals to the offence in order to secure a conviction.
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