Fire breaks out deep in Sundarbans, water source 3 km away

Efforts are under way to control the fire by cutting a fire line, says official

A fire has broken out in the Chandpai Range’s Kalamteji area of the Sundarbans East Division.

The fire service has begun work to control the fire that broke out deep in the forest.

Kazi Mohammad Nurul Karim, divisional forest officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Division, said he received the news of the fire from forest workers around 1pm on Saturday.

He said, “The fire broke out deep in the Sundarbans, where there are creepers. There are no large flames, only smoke.

“The nearest water source is the Mora Bhola River, three kilometres away, and water must be collected from there to extinguish the fire.”

He said efforts are being made to control the fire by cutting a fire line (cutting and isolating the soil) with local villagers to prevent the fire from spreading.

Sakria Haider, deputy assistant director of Bagerhat Fire Service Station, said he left for the scene with a unit after receiving the news of the fire.

The cause of the fire is unknown. However, Nurul believes the fire may have started from a cigarette accidentally thrown by a fisherman, wood collector, or honey collector.

Earlier, on May 4, 2024, a fire broke out in the Amurbania area of the Chandpai Range, damaging five acres of forest.