A national Guard exercise yesterday nearly sent the historic Stavrovouni Monastery up in flames, after an explosion led to a blaze in the mountainous area.
According to Larnaca’s Fire Service, it took a strong team from the Service, Forestry Department, Gaming Fund and volunteers from Pyrga, as well as a number of NG conscripts, to put out the fire.
Around two hectares of forest land was burnt, while fire engines remained in the area late into the night to deal with a possible flare up.