Fires at Sancoale Estate have business fraternity worried

VASCO, APRIL 9
Rising fire mishaps have raised serious concern among the business fraternity at Sancoale Industrial Estate, with three small-scale factories gutted in the industrial estate within the last 14 months and damaging property worth nearly Rs 2.6 crore.
In the latest incident, fire broke out at ‘Fine Pet’ Package Drinking Water on Friday, damaging goods worth nearly Rs 1 crore.
This is the third such incident in last 14 months, while last year two factories were gutted damaging properties worth nearly Rs 1.6 crore.
It is learnt that most of the incidents have occurred due to snag in electricity appliances or power fluctuations, but despite that authorities have made least efforts to rectify the error of power fluctuation.
It may be recalled that on January 26, last year, a warehouse belonging to ‘Express Machine Scaff-Folding Pvt Ltd’ was gutted in a fire, damaging stocks and factory premises worth Rs 1 crore.
In November, last year, ‘Ritika Packaging Plant’ factory was gutted, where shape molding machines, electricity panel, thermocols finished goods and properties worth about Rs 60 lakh was destroyed. The incident occurred after a sodium bulb got busted due to power fluctuation.
While on Friday, factory owner Uday Naik said the fire might have occurred due to power fluctuation.
Sources in fire brigade claimed that power fluctuation at Sancoale Industrial Estate is a regular phenomenon, while sometimes faulty wiring also leads to such incidents.
Top officials from Goa State Industrial Development Corporation (GSIDC) said nearly 160 industrial units, mostly small-scale industries, are located at Sancoale Industrial Estate (SIE).
“The GSIDC is aware about the power fluctuation at SIE and such incidents are common at industrial estates all over the State, but rise in fire incidents at SIE is a cause of concern,” said a source from GSIDC speaking on the condition of anonymity.
He further said they have proposed for underground wiring of high-tension wires, but it is not yet materialized.
“Sometimes heavy container vehicle damage electricity conductors, due to which sudden power fluctuation has occurred earlier,” said sources.
He blamed for proprietors for violating fire safety norms, as sometimes it is noticed that some industrial units violates safety norms.