Jammu, June 20: Four houses were completely gutted in the fire that erupted in Bali-Tirchi forest range in Udhampur district on Thursday.
However, there was no report of loss of life there.
Officials said, “These houses were damaged when the fire broke out in Upper Bali Panchayat in 67 compartment of Bali-Tirchi forest range.”
“Fire erupted between 2 am-3 am. Fast blowing winds helped fire spread immediately thus causing massive devastation. Four houses were completely burnt in the blaze. Officials and personnel of Forest department, Forest Protection Force, SDRF and Fire Services department remained engaged in fire dousing operations with the assistance of local people,” they said.
“Fire could be controlled with great effort. However, it caused large-scale devastation before it could be doused,” officials said.
According to locals, houses gutted in fire belonged to Om Prakash, Kartar, Chanchal Kumar and Ashok Kumar.
After the fire was controlled, locals demanded that the government provide immediate relief including shelter, food and other necessary things, to the affected poor people who had become homeless and were in the open along with their livestock.
They also demanded adequate compensation for the affected families and their rehabilitation at the earliest.