BICHOLIM: As many as six shops were destroyed in a major fire which broke out in the Bicholim market on Thursday night.
According to the fire personnel, the short circuit is suspected to be the cause of fire. Initially, two shops selling readymade clothes and spices caught fire and soon the fire spread to surrounding shops.
On getting the information, two fire tenders from Bicholim rushed to the spot and tried to put out the blaze. Later, fire tenders from Mapusa, Valpoi, Ponda and Panjim too rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control within 90 minutes even as the shops suffered much damages.
The other shops which were destroyed in the fire were an eatery, a grocery shop, utensils and a shop selling bangles and cosmetics.
The total loss is estimated to be to the tune of around Rs one crore.
Shopkeepers alleged that encroachments in the market and haphazardly parked vehicles made it difficult for fire tenders to reach at the site of fire.
However, the fire personnel used water hydrants to extinguish the fire.
Fire and Emergency Services assistant divisional officer Ajit Kamat and Bicholim Station Fire Officer (SFP) Rahul Dessai too rushed to the spot.
