MURREE, June 23 A fire broke out in the forest of Murree for the second time within a couple of days destroying precious trees and plants on Tuesday evening.

The flames badly damaged the small green plants of cedar, deodar, pine and other precious trees planted during the last decade at the cost of billions of rupees.

Only big trees aged more than 40 to 50 years could survive the severe blazes which erupted in a mysterious manner for about ten times in a week in a number of jungles. Over 50 per cent of the big trees were also damaged due to the fire.

Despite the frequent fires, the staff and authorities concerned have not taken any measures to control the flames. Almost all forests in the western side of the resort town have been affected by the fires during the last ten days.

When this correspondent reached the spot, only one worker was seen halfheartedly trying to control the fire with a stick.

When Divisional Forest Officer Murree Javed Gill was contacted for his comments, he was in the Supreme Court of Pakistan to appear before the court in a land encroachment case and was not aware of the fire in the forest.