Lightning strike destroys Paphos café as storms batter the district

Local stormsTop NewsWeather Lightning strike destroys Paphos café as storms batter the district newsroom 18/09/2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber A lightning strike sparked a fire that extensively damaged a café in Paphos in the early hours of Thursday, as severe weather caused further problems across the district. According to initial information, the lightning struck around 3am, setting fire to a metal-built café with a tin roof in the Lara area. The Polis Chrysochous Fire Station responded with two fire engines and brought the blaze under control by 4:44am. The fire and heat left the café extensively damaged, with the roof collapsing inside the building. Storm warning in force until 5pm A yellow warning for storms has been in force since 9pm the previous evening and remains in effect until 5pm on Thursday. Rainfall intensity is expected to range between 35 and 55mm an hour, with localised hail, while winds may shift and strengthen with gusts reaching up to 8 on the Beaufort scale. Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world. Latest News Anastasiades’s law firm: no chance to respond to money laundering, influence-trading findings Annita Demetriou calls crisis talks as DISY internal rifts spill into public view Minister rebuts €23 estimate, says low-income pensioners will gain €237 under pension reform Binge it or skip it: The Bloodhounds return with raw violence and relentless action Weekend agenda: three spots worth the trip Surveillance and economic pressure undermine Greek media freedom, report finds Cloudy with 31 degree peak on Friday