MAPUSA
In the span of a few hours on Sunday morning, two major fire incidents along the Calangute“Candolim coastal belt left behind a trail of destruction, exposing once again the lack of firefighting infrastructure in Goa’s prime tourism hub.
Around 2 am, a blaze at Calangute beach reduced two huts belonging to fisherman Cruz Fernandes to ashes, destroying canoes, nets and other fishing material worth nearly Rs 25 lakh.
Barely three hours later, another fire gutted the priests’ residence of the 400-year-old St Lawrence Church at Sinquerim, damaging around five rooms and causing losses estimated at nearly Rs 1 crore.
Though fire tenders from Pilerne, Porvorim and Mapusa rushed to the spots, both incidents highlighted serious challenges “ from poor access to beaches to weak mobile connectivity that delayed alerts.
Local MLA Michael Lobo, who visited both sites, admitted to systemic shortcomings. “I have spoken to the Chief Minister for immediate relief. But the bigger issue is strengthening fire services along the coast,” he said.
Fisherman’s livelihood reduced to ashes
The 2 am fire at Calangute gutted two huts belonging to fisherman Cruz Fernandes, destroying fishing equipment, canoes and shack material worth at least Rs 20“25 lakh.
The exact cause of the blaze is yet to be established but Fernandes, alleged foul play, claiming that the fire was deliberately set “out of jealousy.”
Goan Traditional Shack Owners Association President Manuel Cardozo expressed concern, saying such incidents have become frequent due to the inability of fire brigades to access the beach. “We have been requesting for a fire hydrant line along the beachside as many places have no access for tenders,” Cardozo said.
Local MLA Michael Lobo visited the site and assured Fernandes of government assistance.
Priests’ residence at historic Sinquerim church damaged
At around 5.30 am, fire broke out at the priests’ quarters of St Lawrence Church, Sinquerim, gutting the roof and damaging rafters across five rooms. Fabrica office documents were also lost.
Parish Priest Fr Lester Cardozo said the fire was first noticed when flames spread to the roof. “The priest residing in the room where the fire started had already gone to the church to pray. But by then, the fire began spreading and was uncontrollable. We could not contact the fire brigade due to poor network. Finally, Fabrica members managed to alert them,” he said.
Firefighters arrived at the site around 6.30 am and took nearly two hours to douse the flames. A short circuit is suspected to have caused the fire.
Local MLA Michael Lobo, who inspected the site, said restoration work could cost up to Rs 1 crore.
