Vasco (Goa): Around 150 shops were damaged in a major fire that broke out in Vasco’s Sunday Market area in Goa at around 10.30 pm, destroying merchandise stocked by traders for the Diwali season. Two other fire incidents were reported in Vasco-one at a car accessories shop near Tilak Maidan around midnight and another in New Vaddem.
Fire brigade personnel rushed to all three locations and launched firefighting operations, triggering panic among residents. A short circuit is suspected to have caused the fires at the Sunday Market and the automobile accessories shop, while the cause of the New Vaddem incident remains unclear. No casualties were reported.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant visited the affected areas at around 12.30 am to take stock of the situation. He later stated that the Sunday Market fire was fully under control and that precautionary measures were being taken to ensure the safety of traders and residents.
The Chief Minister appealed to the public to cooperate with authorities and follow safety instructions. He said the concerned departments were assessing the damage and assured that the government would extend necessary assistance, including financial compensation, to those affected.
The extent of losses is yet to be determined, as authorities continue assessing the damage caused by the fires.
[AIR news]