The forest fire in Ha Long city’s Hùng Thắng ward destroyed more than five hectares of pine forests. — Photo baotintuc.vn |
QUẢNG NINH — A forest fire broke out yesterday in Ha Long city’s Hùng Thắng ward in the northern province of Quảng Ninh, destroying more than five hectares of pine trees.
Nguyễn Lôi Phong, deputy head of Hùng Thắng ward’s Military Command, said the fire started around 6pm and quickly raged out of control. Local authorities mobilised hundreds of people as well as four fire engines to put out the fire.
It took nearly four hours to get the fire under control as hot weather stoked the flames in the highly inflammable pine forest, said Vũ Hồng Phương from the provincial fire prevention and fighting police department.
Fire-fighters found it difficult to reach the forest region as the fire broke out on higher ground, at about 40 metres, and there are densely populated residential areas at the foot of the hill, he said.
Investigations are underway, but initial reports suggest that the fire could have started because of burning waste. — VNS