AGRA: A major fire broke out at Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary on Friday night due to sparking in high-tension wires crossing over the protected forest area. Hundreds of birds and animals were killed in the incident. It took forest department and fire brigade more than five hours to douse the fire.It is being estimated that hundreds of birds, their eggs, pythons, and rabbits among others died in the blaze.According to officials the fire started in the north-west part of the sanctuary near Keetham lake around 8.45pm. By 2am when the fire was doused, four hectare of the jungle land was burnt to ashes.There was some delay in dousing the fire as fire brigade’s vehicles faced difficulty in reaching the spot due to narrow path.Divisional forest officer (Chambal) said, “The forest area has suffered a major loss. We have received the confirmed report of a python being burnt in the fire. There were birds’ nests and eggs laid in winter season in the area. We are in the process of assessing the extent of damage.”Patel blamed the high-tension wires crossing over the area. We have written several times to the electricity department to shift the cables, but to no avail. In summer, chances of sparks and fire incidents rise many-fold, he added.Sources informed that more than 12 minor fire incidents have been reported in the past five years.Range officer Awadh Bihari said, “Three teams have been formed to take stock of the situation. As soon we received the information, forest staff rushed to the spot. Villagers too came and started assisting us. Fire brigade’s smaller vehicles could not reach the spot, as the path was quite narrow.”With the fire spreading in the area, world’s largest bear rescue centre also came under the fire threat. At present 217 members of sloth bears live at the Agra Bear Rescue facility, being run by Wildlife SOS.Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary is located in AGRA district on Delhi-Agra Highway, 30 km from the city. The area of Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary is about 700.0 ha. There is a big lake spreading in 300 hectare known as Keetham lake.During Summer, the Keetham Lake becomes the favourite habitat of comb duck, Spot billed duck, Lesser whistling teal, Storks – Painted, Open bill, Black-necked, woolly-necked, Herons – Grey, Purple and Night, Egrets – Large, Medium, Little and cattle, Cormorants – Great, Indian little Shag and darter. It also supports the Sarus Crane Population of the area during this period.