Massive fire at Aarey forest near Infinity IT Park in Mumbai, no casualty reported

A massive fire broke out in Aarey forest area in suburban Goregaon of north-west Mumbai on Monday, according to reports. The mishap took place around 6:21 pm this evening at an open plot behind Infinity IT Park adjacent to Arun Kumar Vaidya Marg in Goregaon which is in the vicinity of Aarey Colony, the biggest green lung in the metropolis. Several fire engines and two water tankers have been rushed to the spot and put out the flames which escalated to level three by 8:05 pm. However, no casualty has been reported into the incident till late evening.

"Mumbai: Fire breaks out in forest area opposite Gokuldham near Goregaon, firefighting operation underway," the news agency ANI earlier reported.

Mumbai: Fire breaks out in forest area opposite Gokuldham near Goregaon, firefighting operation underway pic.twitter.com/mFLExCvTwi

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2018

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According to fire brigade officials, the fire, which was confined to trees and dry leaves, about 3-4 kilometres of forest was damaged due to the same.

Grieving the loss of the forests, activist Zoru Bhathena said, “Although there might be no human casualties but there might be a huge green cover loss. Also, it is likely that there may be many animals and birds stuck in the forest fire. The cause also needs to get investigated as it may be an attempt to encroach the land by later claiming it to be a barren land".

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However, Adivasis and cattle were evacuated from the forest area and the disaster control room officials confirmed that no one was stuck in the fire.