MARGAO
There’s no let in to the fire incident across Salcete taluka, with at least four incidents reported in the taluka in the last 24 hours, including two instances of hills under fire at the Sarzora-Dramapur and Durga-Chinchinim. The fire brigade also rushed to Morpilla in Quepem taluka to lend support to the firefighting team battling fires in the area.
Sarzora
Two days after fire personnel and volunteers successfully put off the fire on the Navelim-Dramapur hillock, a fire broke out on the Sarzora hillock on Wednesday at noon. Smoke billowing from the hillock could be seen from a distance as the fire spread to the hillock bordering Dramapur village.
The Margao fire brigade rushed to Sarzora, but could not take the fire tender to the site for want of road access. The firemen later headed to the spot through the rocky terrain and thorny vegetation to douse off the fire.
Social activist Eleutorio Carneiro informed that fire could not be brought totally under control due to the rocky terrain. He said the incident has hit the biodiversity with the plant and animal life disturbed in the area. A fireman informed that they have come across wild hens and monkeys just migrating from the hillock due to the fire and smoke around.
Durga-Chinchinim
A fire broke out at the Santmoddi hillock at Durga-Chinchinim on Wednesday noon, destroying a vast portion of vegetation and seasonal fruit-bearing trees.
Chinchinim panchayat member Gerson Gomes along with resident Nercy saved a house from being engulfed by the fire, which spread to the locality. Velim MLA Cruz Silva along with Chinchinim sarpanch Valentino Barretto rushed to the site to take stock of the situation. The fire brigade was also called to bring the fire under control.
Panch Gerson said the Durga hillock plays host to rich biodiversity and forms the Chandreshwar forest range, which plays host to leopards.
He said three houses, including houses owned by Ajit Kamat and Nercy were saved from being engulfed by the fire.
Margao railway tracks
A massive fire engulfed the Comba area along the Margao railway tracks late Tuesday night. The huge flames could be seen from a distance even as the fire services struggled to bring the fire under control.
This is the third major fire incident along the Margao railway tracks on the Comba ring road. The first incident occurred last week and was brought under control by locals and the fire brigade before any damage could be done to the vehicles parked along the ring road.
