Online Report : The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said that the fire that broke out in Amarbunia camp of Chandpai range under the Sundarbans East Forest Division in Morelganj upazila of Bagerhat district has been brought under control.

The ministry, however, said that the fire fighting activities will be continued here for the next few days.

A statement in this regard was issued by the ministry on Sunday afternoon.

It said the fire did not spread to the top of the tree or branches, only spread sporadically above the ground.

Although the fire is under control, firefighters will continue their activities for the next few days as the forest fire seems to be extinguished or controlled for the time being, but again at any time it can be created anew and spread, said the statement.

A three-member probe committee has been formed by Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), East of Khulna Circle of the Forest Department to investigate the exact cause of the fire.

Apart from the forest department, several units of firefighters, navy, police, district administration, upazila administration, public representatives, Community Patrol Guards (CPG), volunteers and local people provided assistance in extinguishing the fire.

Besides, an Air Force helicopter also assisted for extinguishing the fire by sprinkling water from above.

The fire was first reported on Saturday (May 4) at around 3.30 pm.

As soon as the incident of fire was reported, the people of the forest department as well as the fire service and other related government agencies reached the spot for taking initiatives to extinguish the blaze.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury and the Secretary of the Ministry Dr Farhina Ahmed have been supervising and coordinating the Sundarbans firefighting operations round the clock.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is aware of the matter and is keeping a regular check.

Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury has rushed to the scene of the Sundarbans to supervise the activities on the ground.

He will brief the journalists at the office of the Divisional Forest Officer of the Sundarbans West Forest Division in Khulna at 8:30 pm on Sunday regarding the latest progress and action in this regard.