NT Reporter | Valpoi
A major fire broke out at a house in Pilekarwada, Vante–Sattari, on Friday morning, gutting the structure and destroying valuables worth over Rs 10 lakh. Preliminary reports indicate the blaze was likely caused by a short circuit.
The fire destroyed electrical appliances, Rs 1.5 lakh in cash, important documents, gold ornaments, clothes and other household items. Fire services managed to save property worth nearly Rs 5 lakh.
Neighbours first spotted smoke coming from the house and immediately raised an alarm. The owner, Anjani Tivrekar, who was working in a nearby field, rushed home to find the house engulfed in flames. Her daughter Vanita arrived shortly after, but by then most belongings had already been destroyed. Both tried to put out the fire, but the blaze was too intense.
Valpoi police quickly reached the scene and removed the gas cylinder, preventing a potential explosion. A team from Valpoi fire station later brought the fire under control using hose reel equipment.
The house, which had a tin roof and stood beside coconut trees, caught fire rapidly. Tivrekar, a poor widow, lost all her possessions and important documents, while Vanita lost all her jewellery, leaving the family devastated.
Valpoi police conducted a panchanama, and further investigation is underway under PSI Soham Malik.
