Udupi: Vegetation destroyed after fire breaks out from transformer sparks near Bantakal

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, May 7, 2026: A fire broke out after sparks from an electric transformer ignited dry grass, destroying trees and vegetation near the Vishwakarma Sangha at Bantakal in Shirva on Wednesday afternoon, May 6.

The incident occurred when sparks caused by a short circuit in the transformer fell onto dried grass. The flames quickly spread across nearly half a kilometre of forest area on both sides of the Bantakal–Podamale road near the Vishwakarma Sangha, reducing trees and vegetation to ashes.

The fire also spread towards a residential area. However, timely intervention by local residents helped avert a major disaster. The residents successfully prevented the flames from reaching two nearby houses.

A team led by Udupi Fire Officer Alvin Prashanth arrived at the spot and carried out operations to bring the fire completely under control.

Bantakal Citizens Service Committee president K.R. Patkar, Umesh Rao, Veerendra Patkar, Raghavendra Nayak, Mescom lineman Manjunath and his team, along with members of the Bantakal Auto Drivers and Owners Association, including Manoj Salian, Shailesh Poojary and others, made efforts to extinguish the fire.