Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi

Udupi, May 6: A fire broke out due to sparks from an electrical transformer, gutting trees and vegetation near the Vishwakarma Sangha at Bantakal Podamale in Shirva on Wednesday, May 6 afternoon.

The incident occurred when sparks triggered by a short circuit in the transformer fell on dry grass. The flames rapidly spread across a half-kilometer stretch of the forested area on both sides of the Bantakal-Podamale road near the Vishwakarma Sangha, completely reducing the trees and vegetation to ashes.

The fire also advanced towards a residential area. However, timely intervention by local citizens prevented a major disaster. They successfully managed to douse the flames that were threatening to engulf two nearby houses.

A team led by Udupi fire officer Alwyn Prashanth arrived at the spot and conducted an operation to bring the fire under complete control. Bantakal Nagrika Seva Samiti president K R Patkar, Umesh Rao, Virendra Patkar, Raghavendra Nayak, Mescom lineman Manjunath and his team, along with Bantakal Rickshaw Drivers and Owners Association members Manoj Salian, Shailesh Poojary, and others put in sheer efforts to extinguish the fire.