TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: A beach shack was reduced to ashes in a major fire at Benaulim late last night, destroying property worth around Rs 6-7 lakh.
President of All Goa Shack Owners Society Cruz Cardozo has made a fervent plea to the government to come out with a scheme to compensate shack owners hit by natural calamity.
The incident occurred at around 1.30 am in the wee hours of Monday when the shack belonging to one Mathew Fernandes went up in flames. Savio Fernandes told the media that the entire shack has been destroyed in the fire, including refrigerators and stock of goods procured for Christmas and New Year festivities. “Before we could reach the spot, the entire structure was gutted in the fire. The stock and all utensils and other items were destroyed”, he said.
Replying to a question, he ruled a short circuit behind the fire, but suspected the hand of his worker behind the incident. “The fire incident has taken place after I had refused to give money to the worker”, he said.
The entire structure was gutted before the arrival of the fire brigade. A source said the fire brigade could not make it to the site because of the narrow road.
Assistant Fire Divisional Officer Nitin Raikar said that the fire services department was investigating into the incident. He pointed out that one of the commercial gas cylinders had exploded in the inferno, destroying the property.
Raikar said that the department was also trying to find out whether the shack had obtained the fire NOC before operating and whether it had the fire safety equipments in place.
Meanwhile, president of All Goa shack Owners Society Cruz Cardozo, who visited the spot, said it is high time the government comes out with a scheme to compensate shack owners in times of natural calamity. “Every year, one or two shacks are destroyed by fire either because of short circuit or some other reason. We invest heavy money in the business and also contribute revenue to the state coffers”, he said.
