Costi quarry in flames, nearby sites evacuated

Margao: A major fire erupted in an abandoned laterite quarry at Chanimol, Costi, in Sanguem on Saturday afternoon, prompting the immediate evacuation of the surrounding area due to toxic smoke concerns. Fire brigade personnel battled the blaze from its outbreak at 1.20pm, with operations scheduled to continue through the night.

Curchorem fire station in charge Damodar Zambaulikar confirmed that the fire originated from industrial waste materials. “This was not a domestic fire. The presence of chemicals, aluminium pieces, and foils indicates industrial waste dumping. While we managed to contain the fire within the quarry pit, our primary concern is preventing the spread of toxic smoke to residential areas,” Zambaulikar said.

The district administration implemented a two-pronged approach to combat the situation. While firefighting operations continued through the night, the capping exercise using water and mud was temporarily suspended at dusk due to safety concerns for excavator operators.

Sanguem Mamlatdar Nathan Afonso told TOI that six families residing within a one-kilometre radius of the incident were shifted as a precautionary measure. “We offered temporary accommodation at a designated shelter home in Kalay, but the affected families chose to stay with relatives in safer locations,” Afonso stated.

Deputy collector, Quepem, Milindra Velip supervised the operations from the site. Representatives of the Goa State Pollution Control Board also monitored the situation.

Residents have raised serious concerns about the incident, revealing that illegal dumping of industrial waste in the abandoned quarry has been going on for several years. They claim that despite numerous complaints to authorities, no concrete action was taken to address this illegal practice.