Timber worth lakhs of rupees turned into ashes in a major fire which engulfed a forest department depot here. The incident took place in Sector 4, 5 and 6 of the depot adjoining a farmland. However, prompt action by the firemen, forest department employees and the police personnel prevented further damage to timber stored in the depot.
The fire probably spread from an adjoining farm land to the depot where some mischievous elements might have ignited the fire which spread into the timber storage area, officials stated. The blaze was noticed by the ‘Fire Watcher’ appointed by the Forest Department at the depot who alerted his officers besides the police and the Fire Brigade staff. The Fire Brigade arrived shortly and started putting off the blaze. The blaze was so strong that the police personnel also bought the tanker of the police department to help with spraying of additional water to put off the fire which was finally extinguished after a struggle of 3 hours, official informed.
Forest Ranger D D Banjare suspected that the incident could be the handiwork of some mischievous elements. Additional Collector Ramji Sahu said that the fire was probably ignited in the nearly farmland which spread to the depot. ‘The entire matter would be investigated’, he said.