VASCO
Amid the several fire incidents across Goa, a major fire also broke out in forested area at a hillock in Nauta-Cortalim.
The fire was so huge that flames and smoke from the hillock could be seen from as far as Sancoale on Tuesday night.
The fire reportedly went on for around 36 hours before being finally doused by Wednesday evening.
Locals suspect that the fire began on Tuesday afternoon and it was only by evening that the locals alerted Cortalim MLA Anton Vas, who immediately alerted the Fire Station and the district administration.
Vas was on site till about 3 am on Wednesday and assisting the fire officers from Verna to get proper access to reach to the area which was in flames.
The South Goa Collector and Mamlatdar arrived at the site late Tuesday night and monitored the situation, while a police force was also at the site doing their best possible to find ways to get to the hillock which was on fire.
Speaking to reporters in the wee hours of Wednesday, Cortalim MLA Anton Vas said he had requested fire officials to be stationed around the houses at the base of the hillock and prevent the fire from causing damage to property and human life.
“I got a call at around 6 pm from a panch member from the Church Street area and we immediately rushed to the site to see the massive fire.
“Locals informed us that the fire spread to around 2 kms by Tuesday evening. While I am not sure of how the fire began, the state administration team, including the Collector, Mamlatdar and police have reviewed the situation,” said Vas.
“The major issue is that there is no access to the hilly area since there are a lot of trees and this is a sloppy terrain and the fire was spreading to other areas. We also requested the Navy for assistance.”
The fire continued throughout Tuesday night and began spreading towards Verna and Meta Strips area. However, the fire near Meta Strips and Verna area could be controlled as the area was next to the highway and fire tenders from Verna Fire Station managed to gain access and control the situation.
