Puri: Around 30 acres of Casuarina plantations were reduced to ashes after a major fire broke out in Balukhand sanctuary on Puri-Konark marine drive near Beladala village of Puri district today.
Though fire tenders and forest officials made attempts to control the blaze, it all went in vain as the fire tending vehicles could not enter the sanctuary due to sand. Even local villagers tried to douse the flame unsuccessfully.
"The fire tending vehicles could not enter the sanctuary due to sand. We are transporting water in tanks and are trying to control the fire. Forest officials and fire fighters are also present," said Debendra Pradhan, a resident of Beladala.
Till the last report came in, fire was still raging the plantations.
The reason behind the fire is still unknown however locals suspect that it might have been triggered by fire used by fisherman for cooking food inside the sanctuary.