Massive fire breaks out in forest near Mumbai`s Goregaon, no casualties so far

The fire was reported in the thick forests of Aarey Colony in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park precincts near Goregaon.

MUMBAI: A massive fire broke out in the thick forests of Aarey Colony in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) precincts near Goregaon suburb of north-west Mumbai on Monday evening.

According to IANS, the blaze was noticed in one of the forested hills in Habalpada, near the famed Film City, and it quickly spread to other areas.

A thick plume of smoke was visible from far away places including the Western Express Highway.

However, there were no immediate reports of any casualties due to the fire. What caused the fire was also not immediately known.

Several teams of Mumbai Fire Brigade and officials from the Forest Department and other agencies had reached the area and fire-fighting operation was on till the reports last came in.

According to the Mumbai Fire Brigade, it is a Level 2 fire. 

The authorities fear that the raging fire could take a heavy toll on the rich flora and fauna in the region.

The SGNP region has a variety of big and small wildlife including leopards, peacocks, deers, hogs, besides a variety of insects, birds and plant life.