Bhubaneswar: Large tracts of forests were destroyed in a fire in Chandaka forest division near here on Wednesday.
According to sources, the elephant sanctuary caught fire at around 10 am today. Around 15 forest officials tried to bring the fire under control, but to no avail.
Forest officials then called firefighters to douse the fire. It took nearly two hours of joint efforts by nearby villagers and forest officials to douse the flame completely, sources added.
“We are trying our level best to douse the fire which engulfed a huge area in the forest,” said a firefighter.
Though the exact reason behind the mishap is yet to be ascertained, it is being suspected that the forest caught fire due to the negligence of some youths who came here for picnic.