A major fire broke out at a house near the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, Panaji, early on Tuesday morning, destroying much of the abandoned structure.
Fire officials said the blaze was reported at around 5.01 am by a local resident. A fire tender was rushed to the spot, but the flames quickly spread, gutting the roof and front portion of the house and affecting about 100-120 sq m. No injuries were reported.
Due to the intensity of the fire, reinforcements were sent from headquarters. Twelve fire personnel, led by Station Fire Officer Rupesh Sawant, fought the blaze with the help of additional manpower and specialised equipment.
“The fire was spreading fast, so reinforcements were called. It was brought under control using special firefighting tools. After ensuring there was no chance of re-ignition, the team and vehicles returned to the station,” an official said.
Officials added that the cause of the fire is still unknown and the damage is being assessed. The Panaji police and the electricity department have started an inquiry.
The rest of the building was saved due to the quick response of the fire team, who worked until the flames were fully doused.
