In a major fire incident reported at Kavlem in Ponda on Sunday, plastic goods and stoves and other goods worth Rs One crore were gutted inside a warehouse located in a residential area. It is learnt that the warehouse was located on the ground floor of the two storey building. The impact of the blaze was such that the building reportedly developed cracks and is on the verge of collapse. It was by providence that there was no loss of life in the blaze. It must be said that in several buildings the ground floor is occupied by either shops or warehouses. Stocking of plastic goods and other combustible material in such warehouses could prove very dangerous as there is every possibility of a fire breaking out due to some reason including short circuit. There needs to be a ban on storage of combustible items like plastic goods, mattresses, cloth materials, cardboards and other such goods in warehouses attached to residential complexes. Warehouses storing goods which are combustible need to be located away from residential areas. They should also have a proper fire-control system and fire extinguishers. Warehouses need to have the necessary NOC from The Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services. It would be desirable for the civic bodies and local panchayat bodies to carry out a survey of warehouses located in residential complexes and take necessary precautionary measures.
ADELMO FERNANDES, VASCO
