Team Herald
VASCO: A pall of gloom enveloped Chicolna-Bogmalo after villagers learnt of the news that Sharon Soares Alvares (27), a daughter-in-law of the village had died in Swindon, UK in a fire.
Bogmalo’s Blaise alias Sanito Alvares (32), his wife Sharon (originally from Porvorim) and their one-and-half-year-old daughter were living on the first floor of a duplex bungalow on Manchester Road in Swindon, UK.
According to Blaise’s relatives, the fire occurred on Sunday night when they were asleep in the bedroom located on the first floor of the bungalow.
A relative said, “Though the exact cause of the fire is not yet known, we have been told that fire engulfed the house due to leakage of cooking gas in the kitchen on the ground floor and within a few minutes the entire floor was in flames.”
According to relatives, the Alvares family could not come down as the staircase was on fire and before they could be rescued by the fire services, Blaise sustained burns, while Sharon fell unconscious after inhaling smoke and their daughter sustained 40 per cent burn injuries. “They were taken to three different hospitals in Swindon, however, Sharon reportedly expired while undergoing treatment and her husband and daughter are struggling for their lives.”
Sources said that four family members staying on the ground floor of the same house were rescued and shifted to hospitals, however, two of the four have succumbed to injuries.
Blaise’ father who works in Dubai returned to Goa on Wednesday, while Blaise’s mother Dumiana Alvares and sister Charlotte Alvares rushed to Swindon. The father and mother of Sharon, who live in Porvorim, have reportedly flown to Swindon on learning of the fire.
“My son and granddaughter are presently undergoing treatment and have been responding to treatment,” Blaise’ father told Herald.
The family in Goa and Bogmalo villagers are praying for the speedy recovery of the duo. Chicolna-Bogmalo Sarpanch Laxman Kavlekar said the villagers are in shock and that the Alvares family was kind and close to all villagers. He said they are all praying for the speedy recovery of Blaise and his daughter, and are pained to hear the news of death of Sharon.
