Staff Reporter
Vasco
A fire broke out at the Sunday market in the early hours of Saturday, causing an estimated Rs 10 lakh in property damage. However, prompt action by the fire brigade helped save property worth around Rs 1 crore.
Dilip Bicholkar, Station Fire Officer of Vasco Fire Station, said, “We were alerted about the fire at 3.40 am on Saturday. Upon arrival, two shops were fully engulfed in flames, and smoke was coming from two adjacent shops. Given the severity of the fire, we called for second water tender. We also had to cut open the locks of other shops to ensure there was no further risk.”
The Sunday market, managed by the Mormugao Municipal Council, comprises tightly packed small shops separated by makeshift walls. The fire destroyed a clothing shop and a shoe shop, with owners estimating losses of around Rs 10 lakh. However, the fire brigade’s quick response prevented the fire from spreading further, saving property valued at Rs 1 crore.
The fire station has written to the Vasco police and the Goa Electricity Department to investigate the cause of the blaze. While the shop owners have not suspected foul play, a short circuit is believed to be the likely cause.
The incident has once again raised questions about the preparedness of Mormugao Municipal Council and the effectiveness of disaster management during such emergencies.
When the Vasco fire brigade reached the site, the personnel feared that the fire could spread rapidly, resulting in significant losses. Although they arrived with one water tender, it quickly became evident that additional water supply was urgently needed to control the blaze.
The fire brigade staff reported that a municipal water hydrant was located just a few meters from the fire site, but it proved to be of no help. There was no water supply available, and shopkeepers noted that water in the area is supplied only for a couple of hours a day and with low pressure, rendering the hydrant useless.
