The dawn of 2026 in Goa was marked not by celebrations but by a series of destructive fires, causing significant property damage across the state. Four separate incidents on New Year's Day resulted in losses estimated at a minimum of Rs 30 lakh, with festive fireworks identified as a primary culprit in at least two cases, according to the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
Midnight Inferno at Vagator and Tivim Substation Fire
The first major incident erupted around midnight near the popular W Hotel in Vagator. Sparks from firecrackers set off on the beach below ignited dry grass on a nearby hillock, leading to a massive blaze. Firefighters from the Mapusa fire station responded swiftly and managed to bring the fire under control.
Just a few hours later, around 5:30 am on Thursday, another fire broke out at the Tivim electricity substation storeroom. The same Mapusa team was dispatched to tackle the flames. A fire department official stated that the fire originated in a storeroom containing approximately 15 oil drums. Combating the oil-fed fire proved challenging, requiring the use of foam after water proved ineffective. The operation lasted between 50 minutes to an hour.
"The substation officials claimed that someone set fire outside the compound, which then spread to the storeroom," the official said. The fire destroyed spares belonging to the electricity department, including old power cables, transformers, and the oil drums, with the loss pegged at around Rs 10 lakh.
Residential and Livelihood Losses in Marcaim and Betalbatim
The damage extended to residential property and fishermen's livelihoods. In Marcaim, a house was completely destroyed by a fire caused by a short circuit, leading to an estimated loss of Rs 8 to 10 lakh.
Meanwhile, at Betalbatim beach, the festive spirit turned costly for local fishermen. Fireworks lit by tourists or shack operators to welcome the New Year sent stray sparks onto fishing nets that were laid out on the beach for repairs. The nets were destroyed, with fishermen estimating the loss at a substantial Rs 13 lakh.
One affected fisherman expressed his frustration, stating he had filed a police complaint. "I hope the fisheries department and the tourism department take this into consideration and try to compensate me. Some tourists also bring fireworks to the beach because they want to enjoy the New Year. I don't want to blame anyone because it looks like a mistake," he said.
A Costly Start to the Year
The first day of 2026 has underscored the dangerous side of unchecked celebrations. The sequence of events reveals a pattern of preventable accidents: from hillock fires ignited by beach fireworks to a substation blaze and the destruction of essential fishing gear. The cumulative financial impact, crossing Rs 30 lakh
