JAMMU, Nov 10: A massive fire that engulfed nearly 1,000 kanals (125 acres) of State land in Trigam area of Kishtwar was brought under control on Tuesday morning after an 11-hour-long joint firefighting operation involving multiple agencies and local volunteers.
No casualties were reported, though the blaze caused extensive damage to vegetation, with dry grass accelerating the spread of flames across the mountain slope.
In-charge Fire Station Headquarters, Kishtwar, Farooq Ahmad Mir said the fire broke out in the foothills of Trigam, around 25 km from Kishtwar town, at approximately 6:54 pm on Monday and rapidly spread uphill, posing a threat to the villages of Palan and Pedal.
The Fire and Emergency Services immediately launched an operation to contain the blaze and prevent it from reaching the adjoining villages. Fire tenders were strategically positioned to protect the habitations, while firefighting personnel equipped with fire beaters were deployed at the site.
The operation proved particularly challenging as the fire had spread nearly two kilometres beyond the last motorable road, making access to the affected area difficult.
Mir said the blaze was brought under control around 6 am on Tuesday following sustained efforts throughout the night by the Fire and Emergency Services, civil administration, police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel and local volunteers.
Senior Superintendent of Police Kishtwar Sunny Gupta, along with senior civil administration officers, also visited the site and supervised the firefighting operation.
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, although accidental ignition, possibly from a firecracker or another source, is suspected. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Meanwhile, BJP national vice president and Kishtwar MLA Shagun Parihar expressed deep concern over the incident. (Agencies)