Terrace fire sparks scare at Miramar building

Panaji: A major fire broke out at Miramar’s Oceanic Apartments around 2pm, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. The thick black smoke could be seen from Reis Magos and Dona Paula.

The directorate of fire and emergency services deployed four fire trucks, including one each from the fire stations at Mapusa and Pilerne, to fight the blaze.

Firefighters, along with assistance from Goa Police, managed to bring the blaze under control, though firefighting operations were partially hampered by curious bystanders milling about.

"A lady said that some work was going on and chemicals were stored in the room. However, we are yet to ascertain the exact cause of the fire," said Amit Rivonkar, a DFES official.

“Given the presence of cloth, plastic items and wooden cupboards, the fire quickly spread. The strong breeze on the terrace added to the complexity,” said the firefighters.

According to initial reports, the fire is believed to have started in a storeroom that was covered with tin sheets on the terrace of the building. The storeroom belonged to Preeti Kumar, one of the residents of the apartment. Residents of the building said that welding work was going on near the storeroom, which triggered the fire.

The owner of the storeroom said that clothes, cupboards, and plastic items were stored on the terrace.

Firefighters also found some chemicals stored on the terrace. Residents were evacuated as a precaution, and there were no reported injuries.