Wildfire devastates Ukhrul's Duncan Park
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, April 17 2023: A wildfire that broke out at Duncan Park in Meizailung (Hunphun village) under Ukhrul sub-division on Sunday evening reduced a massive expanse of forested area into ashes.

An estimated 1 acre of land has been left charred after the destructive fire.

According to local residents, the fire was spotted around dusk but they did not know from where and how it started.

Many people came out and tried their best to douse the flames but could not succeed as the raging fire unleashed its fury on the vast forest.

The locals then reported to the Ukhrul fire substation.

The fire could be put off with the help of fire tenders, they said.

A team of Ukhrul Forest Division led by DEO Shanngam Shali and a fire brigade team along with the police immediately rushed to the spot.

For about half an hour, the scene remained chaotic, with forest officials and fire brigade trying to bring the wildfire under control, and locals helping in dousing the flames.

Speaking to The People's Chronicle over the phone, DFO Shali informed that the extent of damage caused by the wildfire has been estimated at about 1 acre of forested area.

However, the infrastructures installed at the park and mature trees were saved from the fire which destroyed mostly smaller trees and bushes, he said.

He suspected that the fire could have been caused by some visitors to the park but the motive behind the act could not be ascertained yet as to whether it was accidental or intentional.

The Duncan Park spreads across an area of about 20 acres, he said.

An official from the Ukhrul Fire Brigade informed TPC that they received the information around 6:58 pm and they immediately pressed into service two fire tenders at the fire site.

The fire was successfully extinguished by around 7:10 pm, he said.

The park is a popular recreational site located around 5 km north of Ukhrul town and is maintained by the district forest department.

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