Major fire engulfs 100 acres of forest land

Kharar, Apr 23 (UNI) Valuable vegetation and several species of flora and fauna were feared to have been reduced to ashes in a major fire that engulfed at least 100 acres of forest land falling in Seonk and Perchh villages under Kharar sub-division, near Chandigarh, early today.

Four fire tenders, including two from Mohali and one each from Chandigarh and Air Force Station in Mullanpur Garibdass brought the blaze under control after three-hour-long struggle.

Though exact loss of life or property was not confirmed so far but several affected areas, which could not be reached by fire tenders, were still burning till late evening.

Neither the Forest officials have so far confirmed the area affected and loss caused by the fire nor the Fire officials have yet confirmed the cause of the incident.

Divisional Fire Officer (DFO) S S Bhatti said the fire was reported about 1100 hrs near Forest Rest House in Seonk and it spread towards Perchh.

Kharar DSP R S Sandhu, who was overseeing the ongoing fire control operation on the spot, told UNI that Fire, Police and Civil administration departments, alongwith villagers, were working collectively to hold the blaze away from populated areas.

He confirmed that no evacuation orders had been passed as there was no immediate danger.

Initially, the wind-swept fire seemed aggressive and was spreading fast from Seonk towards Perchh but timely action avoided it from reaching Perchh, Forest Range Officer Gagandeep Singh said.

UNI XC DP VJ BST1728