Team herald
VASCO: A fire in dry grass behind the Meta Copper and Alloy factory at Upasnagar in Sancoale triggered panic as the fire reached inside the factory compound wall and engulfed the cooling tower causing loss of lakhs of rupees. Fire tenders from Vasco, Verna and Margao launched joint operation and managed to douse the flames before the same could lead to other areas in the factory.
According to information, some unknown person set fire to the dry grass in the open area behind the factory in the morning. As the factory is closed since last several years and is presently in the custody of banks, there were not many employees present in the factory and thus whoever were present inside failed to notice the fire coming close to the factory; and at around 5 pm, the fire reached inside the factory compound wall and engulfed the cooling tower within few minutes.
The staff present in the factory informed the fire officials. In a coordinated joint effort by Vasco, Verna and Margao fire officials, the fire was brought under control.
“At the moment we are assessing the loss which would be around Rs 5-6 lakh or even more. But the same would be assessed by experts who are expected to arrive on Friday,” an official told herald.
Meanwhile, in an another fire incident reported in a house owned by one Hanumanta tailor at Sainagar in Shantinagar, Vasco, household goods worth around Rs1 lakh was gutted. The incident reported at 10 am supposedly due to short circuit at the time when no one was present in the house. The neighbours raised alarm and alerted the Vasco Fire station and it was only due to timely arrival of fire officials, the fire was doused before the same could engulf the gas cylinder thereby averting a major tragedy.
