Staff Reporter
Panaji
More than 30 residents, including a senior citizen and a child, were evacuated from a residential building near Camrabhat in Taleigao on Monday afternoon after thick smoke engulfed the area as a fire broke out in dry grass in the nearby paddy fields.
According to residents, such incidents recur annually in May, though the exact cause of the fires remains unknown.
The resulting smoke severely affects not only the residents but also motorists passing through the area. Frustrated by the repeated incidents, locals have criticised authorities for failing to identify the source of the fires and have demanded immediate action to prevent further occurrences.
Reptiles, including snakes, are believed to have perished in the Monday’s fire, the residents added.
The fire broke out around 12 noon, and although the blaze was brought under control by fire personnel, smoke lingered in the area until 4 p.m. Four fire tenders—dispatched from the headquarters, Panaji, Pilerne, and Porvorim fire stations—were deployed to tackle the fire.
Director of fire and emergency services Nitin Raiker, who was present at the scene, said the fire control room received the first alert around noon.
“A fire tender from the headquarters, along with manpower, was immediately sent. The team managed to control the fire, but the field was still engulfed in smoke,” he said.
Due to the heavy smoke, residents from the nearby building had to be evacuated.
“Dry grass fires are difficult to contain, and with residential buildings nearby, it posed a serious risk,” Raiker noted. An ambulance was dispatched, and over 30 residents were evacuated and relocated to safer areas.
Special attention was given to a 95-year-old resident; a fire assistant was kept to look after the elderly person. A 70-year-old woman was moved out with assistance.
A turntable ladder vehicle was also used in the rescue efforts.
Raiker added that the origin of the fire remains unknown and that the police were called in to investigate.
“The cause of the fire is unclear. We’ve asked the police to look into it. Our department will always be there to support the community,” he said.
