CUNCOLIM: The Cuncolim market, which faced a major fire incident in March 2023, continues to lack visible fire safety measures, posing potential hazards to visitors and shop owners.
The market, inaugurated in 2009, comprises around 20 shops, including general stores, restaurants, and stalls selling various items.
Despite the previous fire incident during the Shigmo festival in March 2023, there are still no fire hydrants in or near the market. Many shop owners do not possess proper fire extinguishers, and those who do, often admit to not having replaced them since their purchase. Some fire extinguishers are not placed in easily accessible spots.
The March 2023 fire, which originated in the kitchen of a restaurant that did not have a fire extinguisher, prompted concerns about the overall lack of fire safety measures in the market. While some establishments possess fire extinguishers, owners admit that they have not been inspected or replaced regularly.
One shop owner mentioned purchasing fire extinguishers at the time of obtaining a trade license, as it was mandatory. However, they had not replaced them since then, citing it as a wasteful expense. He disclosed that the Cuncolim Municipality has never inspected the fire
extinguishers during trade license renewals.
“We have the Fire Services whose premises were inaugurated about two years back at the Industrial Estate, to tackle a fire in the market,” said
Raymond D’Souza, Cuncolim
Municipal Council member and chairman of the Market Committee.
Nadia Fernandes, an
employee at a shop, mentioned having four fire extinguishers in their shop, with staff trained to handle
emergencies.
Cuncolim Fire Station Officer Dilesh Gaonkar admitted that many shops lacked fire extinguishers but emphasised the council’s responsibility to address the issue. He urged the council to enforce strict rules compelling shop owners to ensure safety measures.
Cuncolim Municipal Council Chairman Landry Mascarenhas admitted that the council does not conduct fire audits of the market, saying the onus was on the Market Inspector to do so.
“We check only at the time of issuing the trade license, and after that, only if somebody lodges a complaint,” he said.
Most of the visitors to the market do not even consider the possibility of a fire and point out that the Cuncolim market is made of concrete unlike some of the markets in other cities.
