VASCO: The garbage dump of the Mormugao Municipal Council at Sada caught fire on Thursday night.
The fire went out of control making it difficult for firefighters to control the blaze. Fire personnel on-site stated that it will take nearly three days to bring the massive fire under control and for that, they require earth excavators.
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Firefighters are yet to find out what set such a massive blaze. Suspecting arson, Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar demanded an inquiry into the incident and that the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) will file an FIR for proper investigation.
The fire could not noticed due to a high compound wall till a passerby noticed huge flames and immediately alerted the Vasco fire brigade, who immediately rushed to the spot and tried to extinguish fire. A fire tender from Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) also rushed to the spot and tried to contain the fire.
MMC Chairperson Leo Rodrigues also visited the site and later held a meeting with the councillors wherein it was decided to install CCTV cameras at Sada garbage dump site.
The Mormugao Municipal Council had set up garbage treatment plant at Sada about two decades ago and used to produce manure and sell it to farmers. However, a few months ago the plant stopped functioning and the garbage dump kept on mounting at Sada.
Meanwhile, the residents from port town have expressed their annoyance over the failure of the municipality to treat garbage. Jayesh Shetgaonkar suspected foul play and said that the Mormugao Municipal Council had not taken any safety measures to prevent fire. Nobody knew when fire broke out till a passerby noticed it at around 11 pm on Wednesday, he said.
