forest fire
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Expansion
A fire broke out in the forest near Modi Mill in south-east Delhi on Saturday. Within no time the fire took over the surrounding area. Apart from the flames, smoke started rising from the forest. Local people immediately informed the police and fire department about the matter. As soon as the news was received, seven police and fire brigade vehicles reached the spot.
Efforts to control the fire were continuing till late night. Due to the fire, there was a traffic jam on Mathura Road. Delhi Traffic Police tweeted asking drivers to avoid passing through Mathura Road. The situation became worse during peak hours. There were queues of vehicles till Bhogal and Ashram. Fire department director Atul Garg said that his team received information at around 4.52 pm that a fire had broken out in the forests of Mathura Road near Modi Mill flyover. Seven vehicles were dispatched from the nearby Ashram and Nehru Place Fire Station. Within no time the fire engulfed large areas.
The work of controlling the fire continued till late night. Till the time of writing the news, there was no news of any casualty in the accident. Firefighters were trying to control the fire. At the same time, due to the fire, there was heavy traffic jam on Mathura Road during peak hours. Due to relief and rescue operations, the carriage way from the Ashram to Apollo Hospital was almost closed. The traffic policemen were somehow trying to clear the jam. Later the officials appealed to the drivers to avoid coming towards Mathura Road. Vehicles kept moving on Mathura Road late night. Police officials said that the traffic jam would be relieved only after the rescue work is completed. Efforts to control the fire were continuing.