Cyprus court dismisses appeal against Electricity Authority over 2008 Nicosia apartment fire

The Cyprus Court of Appeal has unanimously dismissed an appeal by siblings J.S. and G.F. against the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC). The case originated from a fire that occurred on March 6, 2008, in a Nicosia apartment in the Agioi Omologites area, which had been used as a beauty salon since 1983. The plaintiffs claimed the fire was caused by an overheating cable in a thermal storage heater installed around 1975 under the EAC's responsibility. They sought damages totaling €136,700 and monthly benefits of €1,500 for business losses and personal distress. A lower court originally rejected the lawsuit on July 8, 2019, stating that the claims lacked credible expert testimony and evidence. The Court of Appeal upheld this decision and ordered the appellants to pay €4,000 plus VAT in legal costs to the EAC. One of the original plaintiffs, N.S., passed away in 2013 during the process and was replaced by an estate administrator.