Family lose everything in wildfire at Cyprus home

Ben Armstrong and his wife Lucy had to flee their home in Souni after wildfires tore through southern Cyprus

"We just had to leave, and we didn't know what we were going to come back to."

Speaking from his in-laws home, Ben Armstrong, 38, has recalled the moment he and his wife, Lucy, 37, rounded up their three-year-old son, their three dogs and some belongings, and fled their home.

The couple, who have lived in Souni, Limassol, Cyprus, for about four years, said they had lost everything in the fire on 24 July which spread over 100 sq km (40 sq m) and killed two people.

According to Cypriot police the blaze began in the village of Malia and more than 250 firefighters were deployed to battle the flames, which were fanned by strong winds and soaring temperatures.

"Everything is completely burnt, there is nothing left of my house at all, just the walls," said Ben, who is originally from Cardiff.

"It's unrecognisable," he added.

Ben says a lot of memories have disappeared in the fire

Ben moved to Cyprus to seek a better life, and to be with his wife, Lucy, 37, who was born in the UK but grew up in Cyprus.

The fire started off very small, Ben said, which he described as being "nothing out of the ordinary for this time of the year", but it quickly escalated.

As the flames grew closer, Ben said his "biggest nightmare" came to life as they realised they wouldn't be safe if they stayed at their home.

"The way it was moving, we had never seen a fire like this before."

The blaze began in the village of Malia

In less than an hour Ben had notified as many neighbours as he could, and the family rounded up a small amount of their belongings.

There was no service, no sirens or present fire service, and Ben said one of the worst parts was feeling like they were on their own.

"We had no electricity, no water at this point. We were just rooting around in the dark with little lights to try and find bags and clothes," he said.

With a bag in his hands, Ben told his three-year-old son Ethan to "pick a few of his favourite toys" to take with them.

"Usually he's not a very compliant kid, but actually this time I think he knew in our voices and he was scared as well."

"We knew if we left it any longer, we could be trapped," he added.

The family returned to their home the next morning to find some rooms still on fire, with nothing but the walls remaining

As the flames closed in on either side, he said they drove away from their home not knowing what would be left when they returned.

"For me, my biggest nightmare was having a fire closing in on you, and it's on you to get everyone out safely.

"That's all I cared about, was that Lucy and Ethan were safe and we could get out in time so nothing happened," he said.

They all managed to escape, but when they returned their house was just ashes.

In Souni alone 93 homes burnt down as a result of the fire, which Ben described as being "out of control".

Lucy and Ethan are currently sick dealing with the effects of smoke inhalation, Ben said, adding "we are just trying to keep positive for Ethan".

"The house is where my son took his first few steps, it's where he learned to ride a bike.

"A lot of memories have disappeared in that fire."

Ben says the trauma from the fire will always stay with him

Despite their hopes that some of their possessions may have been saved, most sentimental items were burnt including the rope tie from their wedding ceremony in October last year, Lucy's wedding dress and wedding jewellery.

As an owner of a children's entertainment company, Ben also said his wife Lucy lost all of her supplies and is having to start her business from scratch.

"You start looking around and realise that what you've got is the bags and the clothes in the car you're driving off with, and that's it."

Being at the end of the row, the Armstrong's home was the only house badly affected along their street

Since the incident the family-of-six have been living with Lucy's parents in Ypsonas, Limassol, and say they have been taking each day as it comes.

While they await more information from the government and their insurance about what support will be available to them, Ben's brother has started a fundraising page to help the family get back on their feet.

He added the support and donations from the community around them has been "amazing".

"The emotional part was all the help people were giving to us.

"We cannot thank people enough," he said, adding: "You never expect yourself to be one of these people in need, but it's been unbelievable.

"These villages and these communities, what makes them so special is the fact that they all look after each other."