Three women were rescued by neighbours when a flat caught fire at Chudi in Canacona early Tuesday morning.
According to sources, the incident took place at about 6.30 am when smoke began to emanate from one flat on the floor and spread to a second flat on the floor catching both occupants in the flat by surprise.
A girl was stuck in the flat all alone as her father was away for the night shift in a nearby starred hotel, while a woman and her daughter were living in the adjacent flat.
Even before the arrival of a fire brigade, neighbours managed to rescue the three women from the two flats and removed the gas cylinders from the kitchen, thereby averting a major disaster.
However, the fire destroyed clothes in the cupboards and other appliances, causing heavy losses.
The firefighters were delayed in reaching the site and after extinguishing the fire, they returned to the fire station in Chapoli. After two hours, smoke was noticed from the flat and the fire brigade was called again.
Firefighters found some books in the bedroom on fire and finally bringing the fire under control.
According to locals, calls to the fire station, which is located at an interior part of Chapoli, had not been answered, compelling a resident to travel to the fire station and alert the fire brigade.
Local councillor Ramakant Naik Gaonkar was critical of the remote location of the fire station and the insufficient fire tenders.
“Canacona has a population of over 55,000 which is growing at a quick pace. The fire station is situated in a remote and distant area, making it very challenging for fire tenders to reach different parts of Canacona taluka in quick time,” said Gaonkar.
“Besides, one fire tender is not enough, but at least three fire tenders should be deputed to Canacona Fire Station.”
