Panaji, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said the massive fire at a key market in the port town of Vasco was fully under control and assured financial compensation to those affected by the blaze that gutted more than 150 shops.
Eyewitnesses claimed there were three separate fire incidents in Vasco in a short span. The Public Works Department has been asked to assess the structural stability of the market building and identify risks from falling debris or possible collapse. No one was injured in the fire, which started around 11.40 pm, officials said.
“The government stands firmly with all those affected by this unfortunate incident and will extend necessary assistance, including financial compensation to the affected persons,” the chief minister said in a statement. “The incident is unfortunate, as vendors who had stocked their shops with essential items for Diwali have suffered major losses,” the chief minister said had said earlier. Urban Development Minister Vishwajit Rane, who was with the CM when he visited the fire-ravaged market, said his department was in touch with the affected traders. Officials said firefighters brought the fire under control after more than four hours of operations. The Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services has also been directed to assess the risks posed by flammable and hazardous materials, said officials.
A major blaze tore through the New Modern Municipal Market, popularly known as Vasco Sunday Market, on Wednesday night, causing extensive damage to shops and goods.
