Major fire near Aarey colony in Mumbai

A major fire broke out in the forests off Aarey Colony in Mumbai on Monday evening. A dozen fire tenders have been rushed to the spot to douse the flames.

The fire could be seen from several kilometres away and so far no casualties have been reported.

According to reports, the blaze was first noticed on one of the forested hills in Habalpada, near the famed Film City, close to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. SGNP is the biggest national park in the world to be located within city limits.

Spread over 103 sq km, the SNGP is home to a number of endangered species of flora and fauna and harbours approximately 800 species of flowering plants, 274 species of birds, 35 species of mammals, 78 species of reptiles, amphibians and 170 species of butterflies.