Belthangady: Accidental fires triggered by electrical short circuits and other causes were reported at five locations across Belthangady taluk on Friday, February 7, 2026, causing damage to roadside shrubs, plantation crops and dry vegetation. In a separate related incident, a parked lorry in Ujire also caught fire due to a suspected electrical short circuit. Fire and Emergency Services personnel, along with forest staff and local residents, carried out prompt fire-fighting operations and brought the blazes under control.

Authorities said most of the incidents involved dry vegetation and plantation areas, and timely response helped prevent the spread of flames to nearby houses and larger cultivated zones.

Coconut plantation damaged at Mundaje

One of the fires broke out at Paramukha in Mundaje village in a coconut plantation belonging to a resident identified as John. The blaze spread through a portion of the plantation, damaging coconut trees and undergrowth before being contained.

Local residents noticed smoke and flames and alerted the fire services. Firefighters rushed to the spot and worked to prevent the fire from spreading further across the plantation. Officials said the exact extent of crop loss is being assessed.

In another incident in the same village, roadside vegetation along the Mundaje–Didupe road near Mandaje Mosque was gutted in an accidental fire. Dry grass and bushes along the roadside caught fire and burned quickly, creating heavy smoke for a brief period. The flames were later controlled before they could spread deeper into adjoining land.

Parked lorry catches fire

In a separate incident, a lorry parked along the roadside caught fire following a suspected electrical short circuit. The blaze originated in the vehicle and intensified due to combustible components within the cabin and wiring system.

Fire and Emergency Services personnel responded quickly after receiving information and managed to douse the flames. Local residents also assisted in the operation by helping create access and arranging water support. No injuries were reported in the incident, but the vehicle suffered significant damage.

Officials said such vehicle fires are often linked to wiring faults, battery issues or overheating electrical components, especially in older or heavily used vehicles.

High-tension line jumper snap sparks fire

Another fire incident occurred within Town Panchayat limits near Bhagirathi Compound on MESCOM Road after a jumper from a high-tension power line reportedly snapped and fell. The fallen live component ignited dry vegetation on the ground, leading to a fast-spreading fire patch.

A water tanker belonging to a roadwork contracting company operating nearby was immediately pressed into service to control the flames before they could spread to nearby properties. Quick coordination between multiple agencies helped contain the situation.

Former Town Panchayat president Jayananda Gowda, MESCOM officer Clement Benjamin Braggs, forest department officials and local residents actively cooperated in the fire control efforts. Power officials later inspected the line and took corrective steps.

Fire at Manchakallu in Nada village

Yet another accidental fire was reported at Manchakallu in Nada village, where roadside vegetation caught fire under unclear circumstances. Dry weather and accumulated plant matter are believed to have contributed to the rapid spread.

Fire brigade personnel, forest officials and local residents jointly undertook fire-fighting measures. Teams created fire lines and used water and soil to suppress the flames. The blaze was eventually brought under control without damage to houses or major structures.

Officials noted that during dry spells, even small sparks — from electrical faults, discarded smoking materials or friction — can ignite roadside growth and plantation waste.

Response capacity strengthened

Authorities highlighted that recent strengthening of local emergency infrastructure has improved response time. With the addition of a new vehicle to the local fire station, mobility and rapid deployment capacity have increased, enabling teams to attend multiple calls more efficiently.

Fire and Emergency Services personnel urged the public to remain cautious during dry conditions and report any sign of fire immediately. They also advised regular maintenance of electrical systems in plantations, homes and vehicles to reduce the risk of short circuits.

Residents were warned against burning waste near roadsides or plantation edges and asked to clear dry biomass where possible. Officials said community cooperation played a major role in preventing these incidents from turning into large-scale fires.