Four firefighters lost their lives and four others sustained serious injuries while battling a fierce blaze in the Binsar forest, Almora district of Uttarakhand, said forest officials.

The injured were swiftly transported to the base hospital for urgent medical attention.

Manoj Sanwal, Ranger of the Forest Department, said that due to the strong wind, the devastating incident took place.

“Today at 3 o’clock, on receiving the information about the fire in Binsar, a team of eight people went to the spot, and due to the strong wind, the fire took a terrible form due to which 4 people died on the spot and 4 people are seriously injured, who have been referred to the base hospital,” Sanwal said.

Further details are awaited.