VASCO
The Vasco market housing hundreds of shops are densely interconnected to each other, making it impossible for a fire tender to access the site in the event of a fire or an emergency.
To make matters worse, a lot of shops have huge stocks of firecrackers and electrical items, leaving the entire market area at risk of a major fire mishap.
Several electrical connections provided haphazardly to shops usually covered with tarpaulin and plastic at the congested market have also increased the chance
s of a short circuit.
"The market witnesses a mad rush during peak hours of the festive season. If one shop were to catch fire, the flames can easily and quickly spread to several adjacent shops," feared a shopkeeper, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"These structures are weak and electrical connections have been distributed dangerously and in a haphazard manner. This market already has a history of about 15 fire mishaps due to short circuits," the shopkeeper added.
According to market sources, most shops do not have fire extinguishers and four fire hydrants are only partially operational in the market.
"These four fire hydrants have been recently connected to a special water pipeline, but water is released only at specific timings and if a fire were to break out when water supply is not available, these fire hydrants would be useless," explained the source.
When contacted, Vasco Fire Station Officer Francisco Mendes said two fire hydrants are not working, while tests on the other two hydrants revealed insufficient water pressure due to blockage.
"Water hydrants play a major role to control fire in those places where a fire tender cannot gain access. The fire tender need not waste crucial time in returning for a refill of water and hydrants can be connected to hoses to continue firefighting operations without interruptions to save life and property," said Mendes.
Mendes said the fire department had raised this issue about fire hydrants since the last decade and had submitted several reports to the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC).
"The market witnesses a mad rush during peak hours of the festive season. If one shop were to catch fire, the flames can easily and quickly spread to several adjacent shops," feared a shopkeeper, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"These structures are weak and electrical connections have been distributed dangerously and in a haphazard manner. This market already has a history of about 15 fire mishaps due to short circuits," the shopkeeper added.
According to market sources, most shops do not have fire extinguishers and four fire hydrants are only partially operational in the market.
"These four fire hydrants have been recently connected to a special water pipeline, but water is released only at specific timings and if a fire were to break out when water supply is not available, these fire hydrants would be useless," explained the source.
When contacted, Vasco Fire Station Officer Francisco Mendes said two fire hydrants are not working, while tests on the other two hydrants revealed insufficient water pressure due to blockage.
"Water hydrants play a major role to control fire in those places where a fire tender cannot gain access. The fire tender need not waste crucial time in returning for a refill of water and hydrants can be connected to hoses to continue firefighting operations without interruptions to save life and property," said Mendes.
Mendes said the fire department had raised this issue about fire hydrants since the last decade and had submitted several reports to the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC).
