A massive fire broke out in the Aarey colony forests near Goregaon suburb of north-west Mumbai Monday evening, destroying a large number of trees. No loss of life has been reported as the Mumbai fire brigade said the blaze was confined to trees and dry leaves, spread across an area of about 3-4 kilometers. The Aarey colony fire was put out after an all-night operation.
The cause of the fire is not known yet. According to reports, it started in an open plot near an IT Park along the General Arun Kumar Vaidya Marg, located adjacent to the Aarey colony.
Visible from as far as the Western Express Highwaym flames were first noticed on one of the forested hills in Habalpada, near the Film City, after the fire broke out around 6:20 pm. It quickly spread, and escalated to level three by 8:05 pm.
There was a threat to the tribal residents living in Mumbai’s green lung in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) precincts. The fire is feared to have taken a severe toll on the region’s rich flora and fauna.
Various agencies got together to douse the flames that threatened to affect the tribal residents of Aarey Colony, which is spread over 16 square km and is called the city’s biggest green lung.
Teams of the forest department, Mumbai Fire Brigade and other agencies battled all night to douse the flames.
The teams had a tough time as the operation was hindered by winds.
The Disaster Management Control Room was directed to inform all police stations surrounding the forest to prepare to evacuate tribal residents. Aarey Colony includes 12 villages.
Chief Fire Officer Prabhat Rahangdale said the fire started spreading towards residential areas such as New Mhada Colony near New Dindoshi Green Hill Society in Goregaon (East) towards night.
Mumbai Fire Brigade Team has contained the huge forest fire today again stood to there duties to perform in difficult circumstances. pic.twitter.com/XTzakliWyt
— Prabhat Rahangdale (@prabhatfire) December 3, 2018
He said fire vehicles were unable to enter the forested area due to lack of access, adding that the fire brigade roped in forest staff and volunteers to put out the flames using tree branches.
According to Rahangdale, a total of 10 fire fighting engines, seven JTs, and three Quick Response Vehicles were pressed into service.
The SGNP region houses a variety of wildlife too. They include leopards, peacocks, deers, hogs, besides a variety of insects, birds and plants.
(With agency inputs)