Forest fire in Gudilova hills, none hurt

A fire broke at a forest in Gudilova hill range on the city's outskirts but no casualty was reported, a fire department official said today.
The blaze erupted last evening apparently from an oil lamp lit by some devotees at a temple in the hills on the occasion of 'Kartik Purnima'.
It soon spread in the forest area following which 20 fire-fighting teams along with 29 fire engines were pressed into service which managed to bring the blaze under control this morning, divisional fire officer R G Sundaram told PTI.
The Eastern Naval Command also sent two fire engines to assist the personnel.

The Gudilova area has a forest stretch of 6,400 hectares.
Meanwhile, fire tenders have been stationed at Mamidilova, Mindivani Palem, Dibbamaddipalem, Dabbanda, Bakkavanipalem, Kommadi and a few other villages situated near the hills as a precautionary measure, the fire department said.