Team Herald
MARGAO: A devastating fire broke out at a car service centre in Verna Industrial Estate on Tuesday afternoon, causing extensive damage to 33 vehicles, including 22 Skoda cars (one a demo model) and 11 Renault cars. The fire, which reportedly started in nearby dry grass, rapidly spread to the service centre premises, resulting in estimated losses running into crores.
The vehicles, many of which had been brought in for servicing, were engulfed by the flames along with other equipment, including a diesel generator, a paint booth, and a compressor. Firefighters confirmed the fire was under control after a three-hour battle.
Verna Station Fire Officer (SFO) Dilesh Gaonkar reported that the station received an alert at 3.06 pm Initial efforts by one fire tender revealed the fire’s massive scale, prompting reinforcements from fire stations in Margao, Vasco, and Ponda. Fire tenders from Panjim were also dispatched but later turned back as the blaze was controlled by evening.
The fire department deployed a team of personnel, including SFO Gaonkar, Divisional Fire Officer Francisco Mendes, and firefighters from multiple stations, who worked tirelessly to contain the flames.
SFO Gaonkar said, “The fire destroyed over 33 vehicles and caused significant damage to equipment. No casualties were reported. An inquiry is underway, and we will submit our report to the concerned department.”
According to the fire department, the blaze began in a patch of dry grass approximately 200 metres from the service centre before spreading to the parked vehicles awaiting servicing. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and foul play has been ruled out by Verna police, who have registered the incident and launched their own inquiry.
Local residents and staff from nearby establishments joined the firefighting effort, helping control the flames until additional fire personnel arrived. However, the fire gutted several cars beyond recognition, making it difficult to identify the registration numbers.
IDC Chairman and MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco called it an eye-opener and claimed there was ’no major damage’. He said the vehicles had been ‘lying there’ for the past couple of years and they had issued notices for their removal. “We will take action against the company. We have instructed all companies to clear grass and take precautions,” he told reporters.
A fire official from Margao noted a rise in fires originating from dry grass burning, especially in Salcete’s villages. Such incidents often escalate quickly, causing extensive damage, as seen in this case. An initial fire report has been prepared, and efforts are ongoing to identify the vehicle owners and assess the complete extent of the damage