CALANGUTE: A fire broke out at the ‘Crossroad’ beach shack in Naikawaddo, Calangute, on Friday evening, causing extensive damage to the property.
Shack owner Augustine Fernandes said the blaze erupted suddenly. “It started in a corner , and within minutes, the whole structure was on fire. A lot of other shack workers came running to help put it out. We don’t know the cause yet. It’s possible it could have been due to a short circuit,” he stated.
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Fernandes estimated the losses to run into lakhs of rupees. However, the Pilerne Fire Station confirmed they did not receive any call regarding the incident.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, who visited the scene, remarked that this was the first shack fire of the year in the area. He highlighted the urgency of deploying fire-fighting equipment in the beach belt.
“It is the need of the hour to have at least two four-wheeled fire tenders equipped with water and foam stationed in the beach belt. These can be dispatched swiftly if a fire breaks out,” Lobo stated.
He stressed the importance of such provisions, explaining, “If a fire breaks out in a shack, it gets completely burnt within minutes. With the wind, it can also spread to neighbouring shacks.”
Lobo further assured his support for the shack’s rebuilding efforts. “The shack should start operations again soon because many people depend on it for their livelihood. Without it, they will be without jobs,” he added.
This incident follows two shack fires reported last year in the area.
