A massive fire broke out at Pandavleni Hills in Maharashtra's Nashik on Friday, February 14. Upon receiving the information, firefighters and a team of officials rushed to the spot to control the raging blaze. The fire broke out around 2 PM in the Pandav Leni cave area, raising concerns among locals and authorities. The exact cause of the fire is still unknown.
A 15-17-member team from the forest department is currently on-site, working to control the flames in the sloppy terrain. Though the fire brigade visited the location, the uphill area made it difficult for them to reach the affected spot. Due to strong winds, the fire is spreading across the hill, burning mostly dried grass.
Visuals From the Spot
According to reports, the fire spread through the bushes, creating thick clouds of smoke visible from several kilometres away. Strong winds have caused the fire to spread rapidly, raising concerns that it could reach nearby villages.
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Mayur Dhote, RFO, Forest Development Corporation Board, stated, "This is a ground fire, and there is no major harm to animals or reptiles in this area. The fire is mainly affecting dried grass. The reason could be a tourist visit—someone might have smoked in the area, leading to this incident." Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as firefighting efforts continue.