Firefighters in action during the jungle fire at New
Reserve, Mokokchung, on Wednesday. (EM Images)
MOKOKCHUNG — A jungle fire swept through areas
of New Reserved, Mokokchung, on Wednesday, leading to the involvement of
firefighters, off-duty personnel, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF),
Home Guard, Mokokchung Police, Assam Rifles, District Administration, and hundreds
of civilian volunteers from Chuchuyimpang, Süngratsü, Mopungchuket, and
Mokokchung villages.
The blaze, which started around 9 am according to Fire
Station Mokokchung officials, was finally brought under control in the evening
after hours of relentless effort.
Keleseho Stephen Tsukru, Inspector of Fire Station,
Mokokchung, reported that the fire likely originated in the valley below the
New Reserve Quarter areas, possibly sparked by a stray incident related to
jungle or cultivation fires.
He noted that four fire tenders from both North and South
fire stations were deployed immediately after Mokokchung Police raised the
alarm, strategically positioned at critical points—below and above the New
Reserve Quarter areas and near the CRPF camp hilltop.
“Due to strong winds and dry vegetation, the fire spread
rapidly beyond our expectations, despite being on high alert,” Tsukru said.
Facing limited resources, Tsukru explained that responders
resorted to technical firefighting methods, including jungle and counter-fire
techniques, to contain the blaze.
“There was panic and chaos as residents evacuated essential
belongings from their quarters, but we managed to clear the area and prevent
the fire from reaching residential zones,” he added. No human casualties or
property losses have been reported so far.
Tsukru praised the efforts of firefighters, SDRF, Home
Guard, Mokokchung Police, Assam Rifles, and civilian volunteers, crediting
their perseverance and the timely refilling of fire tenders with water from Assam
Rifles tankers for the successful containment.
“Everyone gave their best under challenging conditions,” he
said. Although the fire has been largely controlled, he said, small pockets of
flames remain, and they are monitoring the situation to ensure full
containment.
Mokokchung Police SDPO Tizhi Pojar confirmed that a case has
been filed, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of
the fire.
