MONGLA, BAGERHAT: A devastating fire broke out in the east zone of the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, in Mongla of the district from Wednesday evening.

Divisional forest officer of the Sundarbans east zone M Amir Hossain Chowdhury said forest guards first spotted the fire near Gulishakhali Camp under Chandpai Range in the evening.

Trees on a five-acre land were burnt down as the fire was razing through. 

The locals sensed the fire first and informed forest department.

The officials of forest department, tiger team, fire fighters along with locals are trying to douse the fire.

Chadpai Range Office sources said that a team of 60 forest guards were struggling to douse the blaze that might have originated from a cigarette butt.

There is a Flammable methane gas which is produced when leaves decompose, they added

They also claimed the unfavorable weather for the fire which happens almost every year at the Mangrove forest.

Abul Kalam Azad, the Range Officer of Chandpai Range of the district, confirmed the matter to banglanews.

He also hoped that the fire will be extinguished within Thursday evening.

The extent of the damage could not be assumed immediately.

BDST: 1200 HRS, MAY 22, 2014