Digital Goa, July 13 – A major fire broke out at the Rivona market on Monday morning, damaging five shops, including two hotels, two general stores and an internet service provider’s office. The fire reportedly started at around 8.30 am in one of the shops before rapidly spreading to adjoining shops. False ceilings, roofs, furniture, electrical equipment, refrigerators, deep freezers and large quantities of merchandise were destroyed in the blaze. The loss is estimated to run into several lakhs.The affected shops, operating from small tiled roadside houses, have been in business for several decades.Three fire tenders were pressed into service, and firefighters battled the flames for nearly two-and-a-half hours before bringing the fire under control. No casualties were reported.Preliminary information suggests that a short circuit may have triggered the fire, although the exact cause is yet to be officially confirmed. Meanwhile, local residents alleged that the delayed arrival of fire tenders allowed the blaze to spread further, resulting in greater damage to the neighbouring shops.
