Aurangabad, March 31:
A fire broke out in Golwadi Shivar on Aurangabad-Nagar highway on Wednesday at around 11 am. Hundreds of trees on the land within the cantonment army area were reduced to ashes. Army officials said that dry grass might have caught fire resulting in the incident.
The army has hundreds of acres of land in Golwadi Shivar on the Aurangabad-Nagar highway. The army has planted thousands of trees of different species on this land. Hundreds of trees have flourished as the trees are watered regularly. Meanwhile, a fire broke out near the railway flyover on the road. The fire quickly spread to the surrounding area having tens of thousands of trees. Upon receiving information, about 10 servicemen rushed to the spot and tried to extinguish the fire. However, the fire was not contained. The army then informed the Waluj and municipal fire department. Immediately, the fire department personnel reached the spot and tried to douse the flames and finally prevent it from spreading to other surrounding area having tens of thousands of trees. However, it took nearly an hour and a half to control the flame. When contacted, army personnel speaking on condition of anonymity said the exact reason for the fire is unknown. Even a fortnight ago, the cantonment garbage depot suddenly caught fire and hundreds of trees were burned.
Fire spreads again
At around 1.30 pm, fire again broke out across the road due to strong winds. The army personnel tried to control the fire. But as its intensity increased, they again called the fire brigade and started extinguishing the fire. Army water tankers and fire department personnel brought the fire under control at around 3 pm.