Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur/Bantwal/Sullia

Puttur/Bantwal/Sullia, Jan 9: Massive damage was reported following forest fire incidents in several areas of Perne and Biliyur villages near Uppinangady. On Thursday, forest fires spread rapidly in the Balapu, Turvere Guri, Poopadikallu and Kunkantota areas, resulting in large-scale destruction of forest resources.

In Perne village, sparks from an electric line triggered the fire, which spread within moments and engulfed dense plantations in the Biliyur and Kodimbadi areas. Several houses located along the forest fringes were threatened, creating a sense of danger among residents.

As the affected areas fall under both Puttur and Bantwal taluks, the fire services of both taluks were contacted. However, the Puttur fire brigade arrived only after a delay of four hours. By the time firefighting began, the water in the fire tender was exhausted. The Bantwal fire brigade did not arrive at the spot, making it difficult to bring the raging fire under control. Though the police and forest departments responded promptly, the public alleged that the essential firefighting services failed to handle the situation effectively.

Forest department officials including Kantaraju, Sudhir Hegde and Ullas, among others, participated in the firefighting operations.

While teams from the Cashew Development Corporation, the forest department, local residents and the fire brigade were jointly making efforts to control the blaze, forest guard Shekhar Poojary was bitten by a venomous snake. He was immediately rushed to a private hospital in Puttur by plantation superintendent Raviprasad after his condition deteriorated.

In another incident, a short circuit in an electric pole led to sparks that set fire to arecanut and coconut plantations, causing extensive damage on Wednesday at Kalmakki in Sullia taluk. The incident occurred at the plantation belonging to Ismail K M of Indraje House in Kalmakki village. More than 100 arecanut plants and several coconut trees were destroyed in the fire.

An accidental fire broke out in the hilly tracts of the Siddapur region on Thursday afternoon. Fire incidents were reported in the Manganasalu, Kolkebailu and Karoor areas of Hosangadi village, where grasslands and cashew trees were burnt. However, no damage was reported to houses, buildings or other properties.