Locals panic as miscreants set fire to hill

Bantwal: A mood of fear prevailed at Kuppepadavu here in the taluk after a erupted on a hill and spread to an area of 15 acres that surrounded the hill on Thursday night, January 17.

Apparently, some miscreants set fire aiming to burn the bush on the hill at Manipalla. However, due to the breeze, the fire engulfed the whole area which was approximately 15 acres. Because of the fire’s intensity and the huge area it covered, it could not be brought under control.

The continuous fire on the hill caused much panic amongst the residents’ of more than 10 nearby houses. The petro pump in the vicinity of the hill was closed down as a precautionary measure.

With continuous effort and great difficulty, the fire service personnel and locals  were successful in bringing the fire under control in the midnight.

Bajpe police have registered a case in this connection.