Bhubaneswar: A massive fire broke out in Barunei hill on the outskirts of Odisha capital in Khurda district on Saturday evening.
According to sources, the locals spotted the fire near Pandava cave in Barunei hill and informed the Fire Brigade. By the time the Fire personnel came to the place, the fire in the forest had already spread to around 500-metre area in the hill.
The Fire personnel were struggling to extinguish the inferno which was spreading fast due to dry leaves on the forest floor and darkness of night. The Forest officials also reached the place and were assisting the Fire personnel.
Though the exact cause of the fire has not be ascertained, it is suspected that it might have been ignited by cigarettes or burning matches carelessly thrown by unknown people during their visit to the shrine atop the hill.
The locals feared that if the fire is not brought under control soon, it may wreak havoc in the area as it would spread to houses and a college situated on the foothill.
However, the Fire personnel had mobilised all their resources to contain the forest fire, the sources said.
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