SWABI: A wildfire broke out in the Karamar mountains here on Tuesday night destroying trees on a large scale.

Rescue 1122 director general Dr Khateer Ahmad said around 75 percent of the fire had been put out, while the rest would extinguished shortly.

Reason for the fire wasn’t known.

Official says 75pc fire extinguished, rest to be put out shortly

Mohammad Uzair of Kalu Khan area told Dawn that the fire broke out on the top of the Karamar mountains, which was located at the confluence of Mardan, Swabi, Buner and Haripur districts, and it took four hours from Kalu Khan to be there.

He said the people tried in vain to put out the fire, so it spread fast due to strong winds.

The resident said the district didn’t have Rescue 1122 service and therefore, the administration called the emergency service in Nowshera, Mardan and Peshawar, which sent in teams besides water bowsers and firefighting equipment.

Assistant commissioner of Razaar tehsil Tabinda Tariq said as the fire broke out five kilometres away from the road, fire engines didn’t reach there.

She, however, said the firefighters went to the spot on foot and tried to put out fire all through Eid holidays.

The AC said all rescue teams were on high alert to prevent damage to public life and property.

She said a 24-hour control room had been established to monitor the situation.

Five firefighters fell unconscious during the operation.

One of them was taken to the hospital due to serious condition, while the rest were given medical aid on the spot.

Also, a fire erupted in Kund Park alongside the Indus.

Though holidaymakers were there in large numbers as part of Eid celebrations, no damage to public life was reported in the incident.

Members of the park’s staff brought the fire under control after sometime.

A fire destroyed trees in Mero area of Topi tehsil as well before residents extinguished it on their own.

Also, a fire broke out near the Tarbela dam mountains burning down trees.

Dam employee Sardar Ahmad said the fire spread as most staff members were away due to Eid holidays.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2019