More than 150 shops and stalls were gutted in a major fire at Vasco’s Sunday Market late Wednesday night, leaving traders facing significant financial losses just before Diwali. No casualties were reported, but merchandise stocked for the festive season was destroyed, threatening the livelihoods of numerous traders and their families.

The fire broke out at around 10.30 pm and rapidly spread through the densely packed market, which houses shops selling garments, bags, footwear, utensils and other goods. Firefighting teams from Vasco, Verna and the Mormugao Port Authority worked to contain the blaze, but most of the affected establishments were completely gutted before the flames were brought under control.

The losses are feared to run into crores of rupees, although an official assessment is awaited. Many traders had invested their savings in purchasing stock for the festive season, making the incident a major setback for their businesses.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the affected market on Thursday along with local MLAs, the South Goa Collector and other officials. He assured the affected vendors that the government would extend all possible financial assistance to help them recover from their losses.

Sawant said the traders had stocked their shops for Diwali and that the merchandise had been destroyed in the fire. He also disclosed that fires had been reported at three locations in Vasco and that the authorities were investigating the incidents. Responding to questions about suspected foul play, he said those allegations were also being examined.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Girish Chodankar expressed sorrow over the destruction at the market and called on the government to provide immediate relief and adequate compensation to the affected traders.

Chodankar said the fire had wiped out the hard-earned savings and livelihoods of several families just as they prepared for Diwali. He demanded a time-bound assessment of the losses, emergency financial assistance for every affected trader and compensation proportionate to the damage suffered.

He also called for a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the blaze and sought accountability from the authorities over fire safety arrangements, preventive measures and the emergency response.

Chodankar said the government must go beyond expressing sympathy, establish whether any lapses had occurred and fix responsibility wherever necessary. He stressed that affected families required concrete assistance and timely action rather than assurances alone.

The market fire occurred barely an hour after another blaze gutted a car accessories shop behind Tilak Maidan, approximately a kilometre away. The fire caused extensive damage to the shop’s merchandise and also affected several vehicles parked nearby. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incidents.

In a separate precautionary measure, the South Goa Collector prohibited public entry into the New Modern Municipal Market and the surrounding area within a 50-metre radius. The restriction was imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), citing possible structural instability and fire-related safety risks.

Affected vendors have also raised concerns over the adequacy of firefighting arrangements during the emergency. The cause of the fires, the extent of the losses and the circumstances behind the suspected foul play allegations remain under investigation.