Team Herald
QUEPEM: A massive fire, reportedly caused by a short circuit, engulfed Gouri Packaging Industry in the Cacora Industrial Estate early Saturday morning, resulting in extensive losses expected to be in crores. The blaze destroyed machinery, packaging boxes, computers, and office equipment, leaving approximately 40 workers, who rely on the industry for their livelihoods, in uncertainty. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
According to administrative staff, the fire broke out around 4.30 am, gutting recently acquired machinery from China, as well as newly expanded sections of the facility. Gouri Packaging, which mainly supplies cardboard boxes to companies like Asian Paints and IFB, saw its entire inventory and machinery gutted.
Fire teams from Curchorem, Margao, Ponda, and Cuncolim responded quickly, with two tenders from Curchorem and additional vehicles from each of the other locations. Their coordinated efforts managed to bring the fire under control by around 5.15 am. However, the damage was extensive, due to the highly combustible corrugated material.
Station Fire Officer Damodar Zambaulikar from Curchorem Fire Services stated, "We received the call and our vehicles rushed to the scene immediately. On arrival, we saw a massive blaze, and additional tenders were requested." He noted the absence of a security guard at the factory, which delayed initial response. “They had no security guard at the factory, so the neighbouring factory’s security guard informed the owners of the company and then they informed us, so a lot of time was lost,” he added.
Firefighters were eventually able to contain the blaze, though nearly everything inside the factory was destroyed.