Panic gripped residents near Noorani Masjid at New Vaddem in Vasco on Thursday morning after huge smoke was seen billowing out from a locked residential house, prompting locals to alert patrolling police personnel moving through the area.
According to available information, beat police personnel who were passing from the locality were approached by residents after thick smoke was noticed coming from inside the closed house.
Suspecting a fire mishap, the police immediately rushed to the spot and forcibly opened the door of the house to prevent the blaze from spreading further.
The police, along with local residents, began controlling the fire by pouring water through buckets before the arrival of fire personnel. Soon after, a team from the fire brigade reached the site and completely doused the fire, preventing major damage to nearby structures.
No injuries or casualties were reported in the incident.
Sources at the spot stated that the fire is suspected to have started from an electric iron that was allegedly left switched on accidentally after the occupants left the house. The heat reportedly triggered smoke and minor flames inside the residence.
The timely intervention of the beat police and residents helped avert a major fire mishap in the densely populated locality.
