Daijiworld Media Network - Vasco

Vasco, Oct 30: The devastating fire that gutted around 140 shops at the Sunday Modern Market in Vasco has raised serious concerns over fire safety preparedness at the crowded commercial complex, with several fire hydrants reportedly found to be non-functional when they were needed during Wednesday night's blaze.

Ironically, the hydrants installed at regular intervals within the market to help tackle emergencies allegedly failed to provide the expected support as the fire spread through the complex, reducing scores of shops to ashes and leaving traders with massive losses just days before Diwali.

The market's closely packed shops make it particularly vulnerable to fire incidents, as flames can quickly spread from one establishment to another. Functional hydrants are crucial in such locations, providing firefighters with access to water and helping them contain fires before they cause widespread destruction.

However, the reported failure of several hydrants has raised questions about whether the safety installations were being regularly inspected, tested and maintained. Installing fire safety equipment alone is not enough unless it remains operational and readily accessible during emergencies.

The scale of Wednesday night's destruction has brought the issue into sharp focus. Around 140 shops were gutted, destroying merchandise, stocks and other materials and dealing a severe blow to traders who depend on the market for their livelihood.

For the affected shopkeepers, the immediate challenge is to assess their losses and find ways to rebuild their businesses. However, the alleged failure of critical fire safety infrastructure has also raised broader concerns about the preparedness of crowded commercial establishments to deal with emergencies.

The incident highlights the need for regular fire safety audits of markets and other densely populated commercial complexes. Authorities must ensure that hydrants, firefighting equipment and other emergency installations are periodically inspected and kept in working condition.

The authorities concerned will need to examine the condition of the hydrants at the Vasco market, determine why several were reportedly non-functional and establish whether there were lapses in maintenance. Any deficiencies must be addressed without delay to prevent similar incidents in the future.

For Vasco's traders, the fire has already resulted in devastating losses. The questions surrounding the hydrants have added another troubling dimension to the disaster. Fire safety infrastructure is intended to prevent an emergency from turning into a major tragedy. At the Sunday Modern Market, its reported failure has brought the importance of preparedness and regular maintenance into sharp focus.