THE GOAN NETWORK
SANGUEM
With the Curchorem fire tenders attending to other incidents, it was left to the locals, police and electricity department staff to clear a large acacia tree which fell at Pajimol-Sanguem, blocking the Sanguem-Netravali road on Thursday night.
In the absence of the fire tenders, local councillor Meshu D'Costa took the initiative to arrange people, police and power department staff to remove the tree.
They worked tirelessly from 10 pm till about 1 am, before finally clearing the road at about 1 AM, making it accessible to traffic.
Sanguem PSI Premanand Naik, Sanguem electricity department staff, local villagers Laxman Naik, Dhiraj Karpe, Francis Pereira, Newton Fernandes and Franky, were involved in clearing the tree. A Curchorem fire brigade later went to the site.
As this is a main road and ambulances use it frequently, D'Costa expressed gratitude to the locals for their cooperation, as they did not wait for the fire department to arrive.
The Curchorem Fire Station is responsible for a vast rural area covering Sanguem, Quepem, and Dharbandora talukas.
When calls come in simultaneously from three different talukas, it becomes challenging for them to respond effectively to all emergencies. This situation often arises during stormy winds and fire incidents.
D'Costa has appealed to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for a permanent fire tender and five staff members to be stationed in the Sanguem area, which would greatly assist this rural region.
