The fire erupted in the plantation on Tuesday afternoon. Upon noticing the blaze, Marathe and local residents rushed to the spot and tried to control it.
However, due to strong winds, the fire spread rapidly and could not be contained, prompting a call to the Valpoi Fire Station. A fire brigade managed to bring the fire under control after nearly an hour of efforts.
Several cashew grafts were completely destroyed in the fire, leading to losses estimated at Rs 50,000, said officials, while adding that property worth approximately Rs 1 lakh was saved.
While the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, the incident has dealt a significant financial blow to the Marathe family.
Earlier on Tuesday morning, a separate incident of fire was reported near Datta Mandir at Brahmakarmali, where dry grass caught fire, causing damage to vegetation.
In recent days, incidents of fire have been on the rise in Sattari taluka, leading to significant damage to both property and forest resources. With soaring temperatures, fires tend to spread rapidly during the afternoon hours, and citizens are urged to remain vigilant.
