Forest fire causes extensive damage at several places in Rajouri, Poonch districts

Rajouri, June 12: Forest fire has caused extensive damage at three places in Rajouri and Poonch districts.

Officials said that fire broke out at Kallar forest area in Rajouri and spread to several acres of forest land damaging plants and bushes.

Similarly, at Dhar and other adjoining forest areas of Kotranka sub division, fire broke out last evening. Fire could not be controlled so far, reports said.

Officials said that fire erupted five days ago at Nar forest area of Poonchs' Mendhar sub division. Heavy damage has been caused and fire is yet to be fully controlled. Locals said that a number of wild animals have been charred to death in the fire.

A fire fighting operation with the help of fire tenders was also launched and fire flames have been brought under control to some extent, said locals.

Rajouri Fire Station Officer, Maqbool Hussain said that fire tenders of Fire and Emergency Services Department are assisting the authorities in every possible manner to control the flames.

" Our fire tenders are operating in every fire fighting operation launched alongside roads," he said.