Swift firefighting response prevents tragedy; officials seek documents, review location
BLAZE EFFECT: A section of the scrapyard in Mapusa lies charred after a fire broke out at the premises, raising safety concerns due to its proximity to a petrol pump.
MAPUSA
A potentially devastating fire was averted early Tuesday morning after a blaze broke out at a scrapyard in the heart of Mapusa, located dangerously close to a petrol pump.
According to officials, the Mapusa Fire and Emergency Services received a distress call at around 5.54 am, prompting a swift response. Fire personnel rushed to the scene and managed to bring the flames under control in quick time, preventing the fire from spreading to nearby structures and averting what could have turned into a major tragedy. Preliminary information suggests that a large quantity of paper and cardboard boxes stored at the entrance of the scrapyard caught fire and was rapidly engulfed.
Workers at the site said the blaze is believed to have originated near an electrical wire supplying power to the yard before spreading inward.
A senior fire officer stated that timely intervention helped save nearly 70 per cent of the materials stored within the premises.
Fire Station Officer Ganesh Govekar said that scrapyards are required to obtain a fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) as part of safety compliance.
“The owner has claimed that the unit is registered and has the necessary permissions. We have asked him to submit all relevant documents, including the fire NOC, for verification,” he said.
Govekar further added that once the documents are examined, the department will communicate with the authorities concerned regarding the suitability of the scrapyard’s location, particularly given its proximity to a petrol pump.
Fire scare triggers questions over scrapyard near fuel station
MAPUSA: A fire at a scrapyard in Mapusa, located in close proximity to a petrol pump, has triggered serious safety concerns among residents and drawn the attention of authorities, raising questions about how such a facility was permitted to operate in a high-risk zone.
The incident, which occurred early Tuesday morning, was swiftly brought under control by fire personnel, averting what could have escalated into a major disaster.
However, even as the immediate danger was contained, the episode has sparked a wider debate over regulatory oversight and urban safety.
Residents in the area expressed shock that a scrapyard – housing highly combustible materials such as paper, cardboard, and other waste – has been functioning for decades next to a fuel station. “This could have turned catastrophic. We are lucky the fire was contained in time. But the bigger question is how such a unit was allowed here in the first place,” said a local shopkeeper, requesting anonymity.
Sources indicated that the scrapyard has been operating from the same location for nearly 40 years, with little to no scrutiny from the authorities during this period.
It is learnt that the Mapusa Municipal Council had issued a notice to the owner a few months ago, reportedly flagging concerns over its operations. However, no concrete action appears to have followed.
Fire department officials underlined the risks posed by such establishments in densely populated areas.
Fire Station Officer Ganesh Govekar said that scrapyards are required to obtain a fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) and adhere to strict safety norms.
The incident has also brought into focus the presence of other such units within the town.
At least one more scrapyard is reportedly operating in the densely populated Angod area of Mapusa, raising similar concerns about fire hazards and public safety.
Locals point out that scrapyards, by their very nature, store flammable and hazardous materials and are ideally meant to be located in designated industrial zones, away from residential and commercial hubs.
“Allowing such activities in the heart of the town reflects a serious lapse in planning and enforcement,” said a former municipal official.
Efforts to reach MMC Chairperson Priya Mishal for a comment were unsuccessful, as calls to her went unanswered.
With the narrow escape serving as a wake-up call, residents are now demanding stricter enforcement and a comprehensive review of hazardous establishments operating within town limits.
