It was shocking to see a fire break out in the rooms of St Lawrence Church, Sinquerim, due to a short circuit. The fire destroyed furniture, important documents, the roof, wiring, and other belongings. Church authorities across Goa should take up complete rewiring and replace old electrical systems with new ones for the safety of churches, parishioners, and priests. The Bishop of Goa should also look into this matter to ensure such accidents do not happen again. The Government of Goa, Chief Minister Sawant, and the local MLA should support the church and help the minority community.
Old and unsafe wiring is the main reason for short circuits, which cause overheating, sparking, and fire damage. Many churches in Goa, built over 450 years ago in Portuguese and Italian baroque styles, need proper care. These religious places must be protected by church authorities and the fabrica committee, who should take quick decisions for essential maintenance of these holy places — the house of God. The electricity department should also inspect and upgrade systems as required. Thanks to the fire brigade, the parish priest, and the people of Sinquerim for their timely help in controlling the fire.
