The Margao Fire Station barracks are reportedly in a dire state, forcing young fire brigade personnel to live in appalling and unsafe conditions that raise serious concerns about their health, safety, and dignity.
Despite being the backbone of emergency response, firemen stationed in Margao are being housed in facilities that resemble a crumbling shelter rather than government quarters. Years of neglect and lack of maintenance have left the building in an alarming condition.
Sources reveal that the structure suffers from severe leakage, with parts of the ceiling crumbling and falling dangerously close to sleeping staff. The situation is even worse on the top floor, where urine-contaminated water from broken drainage systems seeps down to the lower levels, creating unhygienic and unbearable living conditions.
Basic necessities are missing. The kitchen lacks ceiling fans, making meal preparation intolerable in the heat. Ongoing water seepage often leaves beds and clothes soaked, forcing fire personnel to search for dry corners just to sleep.
Most worryingly, the building's electrical system is reportedly faulty. Frequent short circuits have turned the barracks into a potential fire hazard—even for those trained to fight fires.
Fire personnel and citizens alike are calling on authorities to take immediate action to ensure safe, sanitary, and dignified living conditions for the state's frontline emergency responders.