Smoke blazing: Forest fire destroys trees in Batkhela

BATKHELA: A fire erupted in a forest in Batkhela on Sunday. A large number of trees and saplings were reduced to ashes. Wildlife was affected as the flames engulfed the forest. According to residents, rescue workers reached the site and tried to extinguish the flames. They heavily criticised officials of the forest department and district administration for failing to take timely action to extinguish the fire. Jamaat-e-Islami leader Amir Rasheed Khan pressed the provincial government to immediately take measures to protect wildlife and trees in the area. On Friday night, a fire erupted at Government High School for Boys in Charbagh tehsil, Swat. Some parts of the school were reduced to ashes. Around 12 classrooms were engulfed in flames. The record room and offices of the government high school were destroyed. A police official said the fire was caused by a short-circuit. The matter is being investigated and the police are trying to ascertain whether foul play was involved.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2016.