Fire destroys 100ha of forest in Soc Son district

Hanoi (VNA) - A fire broke out in the protected pine forest in Hanoi’s outlying district of Soc Son on June 5, resulting in the destruction of 100 hectares.

No casualties were reported.

According to Chu Phu My, director of Hanoi’s Agriculture and Rural Development Department, the cause of the fire has not been determined, but the extreme hot weather that has lingered over northern provinces in the past week could be the reason.

The fire reportedly started around 1.30pm on Monday in a forest in the district’s Nam Son commune. As the weather was too hot, the flames spread quickly, and a column of smoke could be seen rising more than 100 metres above the forest.

About 2,000 people, including the local police and fire-fighting forces, were mobilised to prevent the fire from spreading, My said, adding that this was the biggest fire ever recorded in this area.

As the fire raged in the pine and acacia forest — inflammable material — and it occurred on the hillside far away from the city, it was difficult to detect.

The fire was brought under control at 3am on June 6.

As many as 20 households living close to the fire were evacuated for safety on June 5, he said.

Bui Xuan Thang, a resident from Nam Son commune’s Hoa Son village, said the fire destroyed over 15ha of the family’s pine tree and acacia forest.

There have been five cases of fire in the Nam Son protective forest since 2002, however, the damage was limited, as it was detected early, he said.

Thang said that at least 10 other households had been affected by the fire.

Also on June 5, a fire occurred in the forest area of Hoang Nong, La Bang and Quan Chu communes of Dai Tu district in the northern province of Thai Nguyen.

About 13ha of protective forest under the management of Tam Dao National Park were reported to be affected by the fire.

Investigations into the incidents are underway.-VNA