MARGAO
Madgavkars woke up on Tuesday morning to hear the news of a major fire that completely gutted as many as five shops in the heart of the commercial capital adjoining the Club Harmonia building in the wee hours of the day, destroying property worth over Rs 1.34 crore.
Fortunately, a quick rescue operation launched by the Goa police, fire services and citizens helped to rescue over 50 persons who were trapped in the hotel housed on the upper floors of the same building. Around 2-3 rescued persons, who had respiratory problems after being suffocated by the smoke, were rushed to the South Goa district hospital. While two of them were discharged immediately after first aid, the third customer was discharged later in the morning.
The administration arranged makeshift accommodation for the rescued hotel customers at the government circuit house.
The fire is believed to have started at around 2.15 am and the fire brigade received the fire call at around 2.22 am. After the first fire tender reached the spot immediately, the firemen requisitioned tenders from Verna and Curchorem as the fire was spreading fast in the building.
Station Fire officer Shailesh Gawde pointed out that it took around four hours for the fire brigade to bring the fire under control, by using around 54,000 litres of water.
“When we made an immediate turnout at the spot, we found the shops on the ground floor of the building were all under fire. Since it was spreading fast, we requisitioned fire tenders from Verna and Curchorem fire stations. A total of four fire tenders fought the fire to bring it under control within four hours”, he said.
Gawde informed that the fire brigade managed to save property valued at around Rs 2 crore by stopping the fire from spreading to the entire building.
To a question, he said customers trapped in the hotel rooms above the shops were rescued from the place.
“No one has sustained any injuries. Those who experienced breathing problems were rushed to the district hospital for medical treatment”, he added.
To another question, the station fire official said the exact cause behind the fire incident remains unknown, saying the fire brigade is investigating the cause of the fire.
Police teams save customers, children trapped in hotel
MARGAO
Colva police station in-charge, PI Tukaram Chawan and his driver along with others played the role in rescuing the customers, including children trapped inside the hotel when the fire engulfed the five shops located on the ground floor of the building.
PI Chawan had just reached the spot at around 2.20 pm as part of his normal night round when he spotted the building under fire. Without wasting time, he along with his driver Rohan and police constables from Margao police station rushed inside the building housing the hotel to rescue the customers.
“It was pitch dark inside as the power supply was disconnected. To add to the problem, thick black smoke, billowing from the gutted shops had already entered the building. The odour of burnt plastic that had entered the building woke up some of the customers, but we had to wake up others who were still holed inside their rooms”, PI Chawan recalled.
PI Chawan and a couple of policemen were seen rushing downstairs with infants and children in the rescue operation.
Police constables and firemen used torch lights to get the customers out of the building via the staircase.
53 rescued, say Margao police
MARGAO
Customers who were trapped in the hotel rooms above the shops which were gutted in the inferno, included 15 persons, all natives of Bihar who had come down to Goa for a wedding reception.
Others include some youngsters who had checked into the hotel a day ago as they had come to the city to answer an interview. Besides, there were customers from other states, including Kerala, West Bengal at the time of the incident, informed Margao police.
Margao police have said that around 53 persons, who were inside the hotel were rescued when the fire broke out in the wee hours.
“None of the customers, who were staying in the hotel has sustained injuries. They were shifted to the circuit house after the incident”, informed Margao police.
It was pointed out that the 15-member group from Bihar had checked in the hotel as they had come to Goa for a wedding reception.
Chennai-based co selling Christmas items suffers major loss of Rs 1 crore
MARGAO: A Chennai-based company selling Christmas items and decorations suffered the major brunt of the fire as the inferno gutted and destroyed their goods, estimated at around Rs 1 crore.
Company official Manikam pointed out that the company had opened a branch in Margao just around three days ago.
“We have kept for display and sale imported Christmas products and decorations just three days ago. We had planned the sale for 30 days ahead of Christmas. When I rushed to the spot after being informed of the fire, the full shop was under fire”, Manikam said.
He added: "The invoice would show that the goods are worth around Rs 78 lakh. You add the transport cost from Chennai to Goa, besides other costs, and it is a big loss".
Another businessman Rohit Mishra, who had readymade garments on sale in the remaining four shops, said his total property worth around Rs 29 lakh has been destroyed in the fire.
“We do not know the exact cause behind the fire, but some say short circuit could be behind the incident”, Rohit added.
