VALPOI
A major fire broke out on Sunday afternoon in the Navadar Supachi Pud area near the petrol pump in Honda, Sattari, causing panic among local plantation owners. The blaze, fuelled by dry grass and strong winds, spread rapidly into a nearby coconut and betel nut plantation.
The incident occurred around 1:42 pm, with flames quickly threatening the petrol pump and surrounding properties.
Thick plumes of smoke filled the air as the fire engulfed parts of the plantation belonging to Shantaram Mahale.
Firefighters from Valpoi and Bicholim fire stations responded promptly. The initial team, led by Arvind N. Dessai (LFF) and supported by Ashok V. Naik, Somnath K. Gaonkar (FF), and Gangaram D. Pavne (FF), launched a multi-directional water attack to control the flames.
However, the fire reignited within half an hour due to hidden embers beneath dry debris. A second team, headed by Dattaram R. Dessai (SRFF) with Tulsidas Zarmekar, Dnyaneshwar Sawant (FF), Anand Shetkar (FF), and Pratesh Gaonkar (FF), worked through the evening to completely extinguish the blaze.
A preliminary assessment revealed the destruction of several coconut and betel nut trees, resulting in an estimated loss of Rs 80,000.
Thanks to the swift action of the fire teams, property worth around Rs 1,40,000 was saved.
