Forest fire causes extensive damage at Bathuni in Rajouri

Rajouri, May 27: Extensive damage was caused due to forest fire at Bathuni village in Rajouri district last night.

A fire fighting operation was also conducted in the area to extinguish the fire. Officials said that the fire broke out in the forest late last evening and spread within no time.

"Forest fire spread in forest areas located over several acres of land," the officials said. They added that a fire fighting operation was launched last night and that continued till this afternoon.

The officials said that the fire has been brought under control but extensive damage has been caused.

Assistant Director Forest Protection Force, Masood Ahmed said that the fire fighting operation was jointly launched by Forest Department, Forest Protection Force while services of J&K Fire and Emergency services were also taken.

"There is widespread damage to forest in this incident and investigation has been set into motion to ascertain the reason behind this fire incident," Assistant Director said.

He, however, added that forest area has suffered damage at its base while trees remained safe.

Fire Station Officer Rajouri, Maqbool Hussain said that soon after the information regarding fire break out in forest area of Bathuni village was received, the fire tenders from Rajouri station were pressed into work.

In wee morning hours on Monday, he said, forest fire spread towards an army established at Dalogra but the flames were timely controlled by fire fighters and army personnel.