Sunderbans fire brought under control

The fire which broke out in the Kolomteji Forest Patrol Outpost area of the Sundarbans' Eastern Forest Division Chadpai Range Dhansagor Station has been brought under control. 

Dhansagor Station Official Bipuleshwor Debnath confirmed the matter. 

He said that the members of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) left around the evening, but Forest Division workers continued to water the area with a pump and pipeline. More than 50 volunteers also worked with the Forest Division workers throughout Saturday night. The fire is now completely under control. 

Members of the FSCD arrived at the spot again at around 8am on Sunday. They are assessing whether the fire might flare again. 

A three-member probe committee was formed to investigate the cause behind the fire and decide on the next course of action.  

Villagers of the adjacent areas first noticed smoke rising from the Taparbil area of the forest at around 9am on Saturday. The forest department began efforts to extinguish it along with the locals in the afternoon. Five firefighting units also joined later. 

To prevent the flames from spreading across a larger area, forest guards started cutting fire lines around the affected zone. Locals also joined in the efforts.