Army helps douse Darjeeling forest fire

SNS, Siliguri, 27 April 2014: Quick reaction teams of the Indian Army on Thursday last helped douse a massive forest fire that spread across the thick vegetation near the Shrubbery Park near Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the governor of West Bengal in Darjeeling.

“The Army jawans sprang into action and stopped the wild fire from spreading to the inner reaches of Raj Bhavan and the residential area in the near vicinity. The gallant efforts of the Indian Army personnel saw to it that the fire was doused without any loss of life or property,” a press statement issued by the Army here said today.

According to the Army, on being requisitioned by the civil administration, the Army personnel rushed to the spot with water bowsers and other fire-fighting equipment and battled the inferno that was spreading.

Three incidents of forest fire were reported in three places in Darjeeling Hills on Thursday. Fire brigade officials said carelessly thrown cigarette butts on dry leaves and twigs may have caused the fire.

The first fire was reported at Ambotia near Kurseong, while the second one spread at Shrubbery Park and another one at Dali above Notre Dame Academy in Darjeeling.