MAPUSA
A temporary cloth stall and a scooter were gutted in a fire at Piken Pede in Anjuna in the wee hours of Friday, and the owner has suspected foul play in the incident.
The shop, which had ready-made clothes for sale, was by the roadside near the Anjuna flea market, and was a temporary structure.
The owner, Hanumant Pawar, was away to attend a wedding ceremony at his native place in Karnataka, while his son had also shut the stall four days ago and went to Karnataka to join him.
There was a scooter parked inside the shop which was burnt along with the clothes and the shop.
Incidentally, the Fire Services were informed that the fire accident was along the Calangute-Anjuna road. The control room informed the Pilerne fire station and firefighters reached the spot with the help of Google maps sent by the person who informed them about the accident, which took them 20 minutes. It was found that the incident had occurred in Anjuna, by which time the shop was gutted in the fire.
A fire tender doused the fire, while an Anjuna police team conducted the panchanama.
After being informed of the incident, the owner returned to Anjuna on Friday afternoon and suspected foul play in the matter. He claimed a property loss of Rs 15 lakh in the fire. Anjuna police are investigating the matter.
