Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur
Kundapur, Feb 5: An accidental fire broke out at the cashew plantation of the KCDC Cashew Development Corporation near the Shri Guheshwara Temple at Kodapadi in Gujjadi village, close to Mullikatte, and spread to the adjoining forest area on Wednesday, gutting around 4 to 5 acres of land.
According to sources, the fire was first noticed in the cashew plantation and later spread rapidly to the nearby forest area. Cashew trees spread over nearly half an acre were completely destroyed in the blaze. In addition, trees across the remaining 4 to 5 acres of forest land were also reduced to ashes.
Dense smoke enveloped the cashew plantation area soon after the fire broke out, causing concern among local residents.
Fire and Emergency Services personnel from Kundapur and Byndoor carried out a joint operation to douse the flames, which lasted for nearly six to seven hours. The firefighting efforts began around 10 am and continued until about 5 pm, when the fire was finally brought under control.
Officials said the situation could have worsened had the fire not been contained in time. Firefighting was particularly challenging as the affected area was deep inside the forest, with no proper access roads for fire tenders.
The operation was led by Byndoor fire station personnel Srinivasa Poojary, Anand, Lokesh and Harish, along with Kundapur fire station staff Keshav, Satish Shenai, Sachin and Idresh Mohammed Rafi. Local residents also extended support in controlling the blaze.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.