Fire breaks out near Navy VLF station site in Damagundam forest

A few local people alleged that the forest area was set on fire on purpose by some unknown persons

Vikarabad: A fire broke out in the Damagundam forest here on Thursday evening, not too far from the site of the proposed Very Low Frequency (VLF) Station of the Indian Navy. The reasons for the fire were yet to be known.

A few local people alleged that the forest area was set on fire on purpose by some unknown persons. The fire spread in the grasslands in close proximity to the location where union Minister Rajnath Singh had laid the foundation for the VLF station on October 15 this year.

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Videos and images of fire spread over vast area have gone viral on social media platforms.

In one of the videos, a person is seen saying: “This fire has been lit in the afternoon in the forest covering many acres. The navy radar station is coming up here and trees are not being cut but they are being burnt. Forest department has not taken any steps to douse the flames.”

As a precautionary measure, the Forest department is said to have alerted the local fire department. This apart, a team of forest personnel was sent to the location to douse the flames, a senior forest official said, adding that contrary to what was being shared on social media, the fire was in a small area and was contained without much delay.

People from different sections have been opposing the establishment of the radar station at Pudur village under the Damagundam reserve forest block. Despite the protests and objections, the union Minister had laid foundation for the VLF station.