A large wildfire rapidly encroached on residential areas in the Mediterranean nation of Cyprus in recent days, killing four people as more than 600 firefighters worked to get the blaze under control.

It's being called the worst wildfire in the nation's 61-year history, the Associated Press reported.

The fire burned 21 square miles as temperatures soared into the mid-90s, complicating firefighting efforts. At least nine villages had to be evacuated as the fire grew rapidly, the AP also said.

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The four victims were reportedly Egyptian laborers who died outside the village of Orou. They ranged in age from 22 to 29, and all were men, the AP added.

Authorities said a 67-year-old man was taken into custody while he was being investigated on arson charges, the AP also said.

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