A massive fire broke out in the forest of northern India’s Jammu and Kashmir, but thanks to the quick actions of the hotel staff, the blaze was brought under control, preventing further damage and casualties.

The incident took place at Shankaracharya Hill in Kashmir on July 11.

Visuals showed a fierce fire raging through the forest, with intense flames and thick black smoke billowing into the sky. The fire’s rapid spread was evident as it gradually consumed more of the area, creating an increasingly perilous situation.

A sudden fire erupted in the forested area of Shankaracharya Hill, Kashmir, on Thursday afternoon. The blaze, which is believed to have been triggered by the ongoing intense heat wave, was quickly reported by the manager of a nearby hotel. Imtiaz, the hotel manager, noticed smoke emanating from the forest and immediately alerted the local fire department.

“When we saw smoke coming from the forest, we informed the fire brigade. They arrived quickly and normalized the situation,” said Imtiaz. The fire department responded swiftly, arriving at the scene and working diligently to contain the fire within a few hours. Thanks to the prompt actions of the hotel staff and the efficient response by the fire brigade, the fire was brought under control, and no casualties have been reported.

Fire department officials have stated that an investigation will be conducted to determine the exact cause of the fire, which is initially suspected to be a result of the high temperatures in the area.