Bhubaneswar: A massive fire that broke out in a scrap godown close to a reserve forest in Odisha’s Khurda has raised concern about threat to green cover due to man-made forest fire in summer days ahead.
According to sources, the fires started in the scrap godown near the reserve forest a Barunei in Khurda district in the afternoon. Due to stocking of used plastic materials including bags, cans, tyres and tubes in the godown, the fires spread rapidly and turned into an inferno.
The locals saw heavy black smoke coming out of the place around noon and informed the Fire Brigade. “We saw the smoke billowing out of southern side Barunei hill at around 1 pm. Around 30 people working in the godown came running outside and informed us about the fire. Besides plastic materials, there were also some vehicles in the godown,” said Ullas Behera, a local person.
On being informed Fire Brigade from Khurda and nearby places rushed to the spot. It took 6 fire tenders and 22 personnel several hours to bring the fire under control. Due to timely efforts of the Fire personnel, the inferno was prevented from spreading to the reserve forest.
It is estimated that properties worth over Rs 1 crore have been destroyed in fire. But the exact cause of the fire has not been confirmed, the sources said.
