Fire breaks out in North and Middle Andaman forests

Mayabunder, Apr 5 (UNI) Jungle fire today broke out in at least four places in North and Middle Andaman region, spreading over an area of nearly two hectares, due to intense heat.

'' We are in touch with the Divisional Forest Officer, Diglipur to take stock of the situation and take necessary action to control the fire,'' North&Middle Andaman District Commisioner Vivek Pandey told UNI here.

Fire has also been reported from Sitanagar, Kalighat and Police Tekrey in Diglipur area of North Andaman and Baratang area of Middle Andaman, Mr Pandey added.

However, fire-brigade sources claimed that the fire had been brought almost under control now and there was no damage of public properties or any casualties.

''Steps were being taken to ensure that the blaze does not spread further,'' Seema Majhi, the Pradhan of Sitanagar Village, told UNI over phone.

Recently, a similar incident was reported from the remote tsunami hit islands of Car Nicobar.

About 90 per cent of the Union Territory are covered with lush green forest with 572 small and big islands of which only 36 are inhabited and rest is forest.

UNI