RAWALPINDI: The operation to put out a massive fire that started from a ditch in the Kotli Sattian jungle is still underway. Rescue officials said that the firefighters were trying to put out the flames with water and fire beaters but they were able to control only 15 percent of the fire.

According to rescue officials, more than 10 firefighters and four fire tenders were part of the operation. The fire spread pretty quickly throughout the jungle and firefighters have reportedly been having trouble putting it out due to deep ditches and so on.

The operation has been underway since the last 12 hours (till the filing of this news report) as the fire has engulfed a 5 to 6 kilometre area, they said, adding fire accidents are on the rise as the heat intensifies. People need to be very careful, they added.

They urged people to maintain electrical wiring systems in buildings and get power lines fixed immediately. Cigarettes must be used with extreme caution and must be extinguished properly, the officials said.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2022