PONDA: Thick black plumes of smoke enveloped the sky as a massive fire engulfed the illegal RK Scrapyard at Dhavali on Friday much to the horror of people around.
Shocked onlookers remained mute spectators as they watched valiant firemen fighting the massive flames for eight hours. The fire broke out at 12.30 pm and continued to burn till late night and led to a traffic blockade on Dhavali-Farmagudi National Highway forcing authorities to divert traffic via the Borim-Bethora and Curti-Ponda bypass.
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Sources say that the illegal scrapyard was packed to capacity with empty plastic chemical barrels, plastic and glass bottles, plastic scrap and other explosive material which went up in the inferno causing massive losses to the owner. It is reportedly learnt that even LPG cylinders was kept amidst piles of wood and other inflammable material.
Chaos and confusion reigned supreme with residents in the area trying to run away for safety after several blasts were heard. The flames could be spotted miles away forcing the petrol pump owner in the vicinity to close down for the day.
Fire officials said that over two lakh litres of water was used to douse the flames and it took almost eight hours for the firemen to bring the situation under control.
Around 28 tankers from Margao, Ponda, Panjim and other areas from South Goa were pressed into service to fight the flames. The Fire officials said that over two lakh litres of water was used to put off the raging inferno which was finally brought under control after eight hours.
Ponda Fire Station In-Charge Sushil Morajkar said the cause of fire was however not known.
It may be recalled that the Kavlem Village Panchayat had done a site inspection of the R K Scrapyard but could not initiate action against it as the owner managed to get a stay order from the court and business continued on as usual here.
The panchayat had observed that plastic empty chemical barrels, scrap plastic, bags, paper, LPG cylinders, wood and other flammable material was stacked up at the scrapyard and locals had always raised the issue at the gram sabha.
Sarpanch Manuja Naik stated that all scrapyards in the area are illegal and added that the panchayat was handicap to initiate action against them as the matter was sub-judice.
O Heraldo too had reported on April 7, as to how the scrapyard was a ticking-time bomb in the area, which sadly exploded today.
Locals say that the scrapyards are hideouts for anti-social elements, generate a lot of income for the owners but are a liability to the society at large.
