A container carrying 65 Honda Activa scooters caught fire at Ambaji-Fatorda, destroying property, estimated between Rs 25-30 lakh.
Around 35 scooters, which were parked on the upper portion of the container, were completely gutted, while a couple of scooters on the lower portion, are believed to have been damaged in the major fire.
That the moving container had caught fire came to light only when a motorcyclist from Cuncolim Sanjay Desai , who was traveling behind the container, spotted smoke billowing from the vehicle. He overtook the container and intimated the incident to the driver Siwam Pal and alerted the neighbouring residents.
Their worst fears came true as the container was indeed on fire, with thick black smoke emanating from the vehicle.
Upon receiving a call at around 2.56 pm, the Margao fire brigade rushed to the spot and also requisitioned the services of a tender from neighbouring Verna as a precautionary measure.
Fire Officer Gill De Sa informed that the Margao fire brigade used three tenders to bring the fire under control after an hour long operation. He said that rough estimates has put the loss of property between Rs 25-30 lakh, while the fire brigade has managed to save property around Rs 20 lakh.
Replying to a question, Gill said the suspected cause behind the fire incident is under investigations though it is suspected that the fire must have originated from any of the scooters due to heat.
Driver Siwam Pal told The Goan that the container was transporting around 65 Honda Activa scooters from the plant at Gurgaon to be delivered to Goa at Nuvem. He said the container entered the interior road towards Ambaji after being misled by a guide near the Arlem junction.
Investigations are on.
