Notwithstanding the tall claims of authorities concerned, the fire continued to spread towards outskirts of Bajalta and other adjoining forest areas while three houses of gujjars were reduced to ashes in the forest area between Sidhra and Bathindi in Jammu. Sources informed that though personnel of Fire Services Department have succeeded in extinguishing fire at some places, yet fire continued in the major portion of forest area between Bathindi and Sidhra.