Calangute: A major fire destroyed a house and its household belongings, furniture, gold and cash at Tambudki, Arpora, on Tuesday evening. The family escaped unhurt.The fire reportedly started when palm fronds behind the house caught fire after Sebastian D’Souza had kept water to heat on a wood-fired stove nearby.D’Souza was sitting with his wife and daughter in front of the house while his son was bathing when he noticed smoke entering the house and realised it was on fire. The flames quickly spread to the wooden roof rafters before engulfing curtains, bedsheets and clothes.D’Souza alerted former sarpanch Roshan Redkar, who contacted the Pilerne fire station. “We received a call at 8.16pm and rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control,” fire station officials said. A Mapusa fire tender also assisted.“All the household items like fridge, TV, beds, furniture etc. were completely destroyed. A cupboard with gold and cash was also destroyed,” D’Souza said. The loss is yet to be assessed.Calangute MLA Michael Lobo visited the site on Wednesday and assured the family of assistance for repairs.
