the goan I network
VASCO
Four rooms of a house given to families on rent were gutted in a major fire destroying property worth several lakhs on Driver Hill in Vasco on Monday morning.
The fire was so intense that three fire tenders from Vasco and one from MPT had to be rushed to the site. It took around three hours to bring the fire under control as firefighting operations continued till late afternoon.
MMC Chairperson Deepak Naik, MMC ward councillor Rochana Borker, councillor Krishna Salkar and former councillor Manesh Arolkar were among those who visited the site.
The exact reason for the fire was unclear.
A fire official said the location was difficult to access. “The fire could have been controlled much earlier, but the bikes parked on the narrow road leading to the site hindered the movement of fire tenders,” said Vasco Fire Officer Vivekanand Bhaatkar. “This is a great concern every time an incident takes place on Driver hill,” he added.
Sajjan Naik, whose room was gutted in the fire, said he he and his wife had left for work.
“My wife had kept some gold for a marriage on Monday evening. It is all gone. I am also treasurer of Khapreshwar Temple. Some of the temple gold kept in the house is also gone. All the gold and my cash savings were destroyed,” he said.
My children’s books were burnt and they have their exams next month. My TV, fridge and electronic equipment were also destroyed,” Naik said.
Councillor Rochana Borker, who stays in the neighbourhood, was seen helping around along with her husband Girish Borker. She requested MMC and Vasco MLA to try and offer some financial relief to the affected house owners.
“We have known these people for a long time. We know how Sajjan has struggled all his life and today all his savings have been reduced to ashes. I request our MMC and Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida to try and help them with some financial relief,” said Borker.
