A popular restaurant in North Goa was completely destroyed in a devastating fire in the early hours of Tuesday, with its owners alleging foul play. The incident caused significant property damage but, fortunately, resulted in no injuries or loss of life.
Restaurant Reduced to Ashes in Early Morning Blaze
The fire broke out at 'Gharan' restaurant, located along the busy National Highway 66 in Porvorim. According to fire officer Damodar Pednekar, the Porvorim fire station control room received an emergency call at 4:35 am from a vigilant passer-by who reported seeing thick smoke and flames at the front of the establishment.
The first fire tender from the Porvorim station reached the site within seven minutes. However, by the time they arrived, the restaurant was already engulfed in flames. The fire was so intense that it spread to nearby vegetation, charring the branches of trees adjacent to the building.
To combat the massive blaze, two additional fire tenders were requested from the Panaji fire station. After a concerted effort, firefighters managed to douse the flames. All fire tenders returned to their respective stations by 6:05 am.
Owners Point to Arson Amid Family Dispute
While the official cause of the fire is still under investigation, the restaurant's co-owner, Yash Haldankar, has raised strong suspicions of arson. He linked the incident to an ongoing family dispute over property.
"We had a dispute within the family owing to property-related issues," Haldankar stated. "We believe the fire was set on purpose — as the establishment is completely safe — and have filed a complaint with the Porvorim police station."
He expressed gratitude towards the fire department for their swift action and the passer-by whose alert call was crucial. "We are fortunate no one was harmed in this incident," he added.
Kitchen Salvaged, But Dining Area Destroyed
The fire primarily ravaged the front section of the restaurant, which housed the dining area. Fortunately, the kitchen at the rear of the building was salvaged. Firefighters also managed to secure several LPG cylinders located in the kitchen area, preventing a potential explosion.
A cook who lived behind the restaurant described the terrifying moment. He mentioned that the restaurant typically closes at 1:00 am, and staff sleep nearby to begin early morning preparations. "When we smelled the thick fumes, we went outside and saw the restaurant was on fire, and it spread to the plantations nearby," he said. The staff immediately alerted the owners, who arrived within minutes.
The financial toll from the incident is substantial. Preliminary estimates peg the total loss at approximately Rs 30 lakh. However, the fire department successfully recovered assets worth Rs 5 lakh from the debris.
The Porvorim police are investigating the complaint filed by the owners as the fire department continues its probe to determine the exact origin and cause of the blaze.
