The fire which engulfed the mangroves at Moita-Agassaim, on Saturday. Captured by : Manuel Vaz
OLD GOA
Nearly two weeks after mangroves at Dandi were destroyed in fire, a similar story unfolded at Moita-Agassaim on Saturday, as mangroves along with a large tract of vegetation in the nearby areas as well as a field, also catching fire.
Upon learning of the incident, Agassaim panchas Julius Almeida and Lakshadeep Gawas rushed to the site to take stock of the situation.
Later, the fire brigade was called and fire tenders from Old Goa and Panaji fire stations were involved in the fire fighting operation.
After several hours, the fire got under control but the panchas expressed fears that the fire could get re-ignited due to the strong winds prevailing in the area.
Speaking to The Goan, panch Almeida opined that the fire could be deliberately lit.
“It is next to impossible that this fire could have been accidentally started as the wind is blowing towards the highway. Hence, the fire cannot reach the mangroves from the fields,” Almeida informed while stating that just like Dandi fires, the fires at Moita are also deliberate.
Meanwhile, when questioned about his demand for a probe into Dandi fires, St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar said that he is yet to receive the report from the authorities.
