VASCO
Fire broke out in the interior part of a thickly vegetated hillock at Thana-Cortalim on Thursday afternoon. This is the third such fire mishap at the site since Monday.
Cortalim MLA Anton Vas has demand a thorough investigation in the incident after he and Cortalim Sarpanch Senia Pereira suspected foul play.
Both Vas and Pereira rushed to the site after being informed of thick smoke at the hill. A fire brigade later extinguished the fire.
Speaking to reporters, Vas said a fire was noticed in the same area on three consecutive times within a span of few days.
"I am shocked that this is the third fire incident on Confraria land since Monday. There has to be a thorough enquiry into these fire mishaps. I will also file a police complaint to check if the land mafia or builders are involved in such acts,” said Vas.
“While a fire has broken out three times on the hill since Monday, we have also seen many forest fires in Cortalim constituency at more than seven locations in the recent past and this definitely has to be cross-checked.”
Cortalim Sarpanch Senia Periera also suspected foul play in the incident.
"The fire could have spread to neighbouring houses and property owners must enquire into this incident as well. I want to send out a clear message to those who may be eyeing the site that this is the only hill we have and we will not allow this land to be cleared no matter what. I will also file a police complaint to demand a thorough investigation in this incident," said Pereira.
A fire officer confirmed it was the third fire reported at the same place and also suspected foul play in the incident.
"We got a call at around 1.10 pm and we managed to cut the trees and make access and extinguish the fire in a traditional way since the fire brigade could not gain access to the hill. There are no electricity poles and there is no scope of a short circuit. If looks like foul play," said the officer.
