Fire in Valmiki Nagar Tiger Reserve, no report of animal death

A fire broke out today in Valmiki Nagar Tiger Reserve in West Champaran district destroying forest spread over two acres, but there was no report of casualty of any wild animal.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Nand Kishor told PTI the fire broke out in Madanpur forest range of the reserve due to unspecified reason.
Forest guards on duty swung into action immediately and with normal fire fighting equipment sprinkled water to douse the flames, he said.
Kishor, who is also Deputy Director of Valmiki Tiger Project (VTP), said there was no casualty or injury to any wild animal, including tigers, in the reserve.

There are altogether 22 tigers and other animals like deer, monkey and neelgai in the forest area and all of them retreated to safety in deep forest during the blaze, he said.
The DFO was earlier quoted as saying that the fire had engulfed 100 acres and many animals perished.