Environment hazard: Hundreds of trees burn in forest fire

FAISALABAD:

Hundreds of trees were destroyed on Tuesday in a fire in Block-1 of forests near Shorkot Cantonment.

The fire erupted around afternoon and engulfed a huge area within a few hours.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Abdul Qayyum, who lives nearby, said: “I saw smoke coming out of the forest at around 3pm. First, I thought Forest Department workers were burning weeds.

However, the smoke kept on increasing. I, and some of my neighbours, then visited the spot and saw that dozens of trees were on fire. Soon, Forest Department staff arrived at the scene and started trying to put out the fire. No fire brigade team reached the spot,” he said.

Talking to The Express Tribune, a spokesman of the Forest Department said that the fire had been brought under control. “We are trying to ascertain the cause of fire. Action will be taken against any worker found responsible,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 20^th, 2015.