Minor Fire Incident at Goa's Dabolim Airport Quickly Contained
A minor fire broke out at the Goa International Airport in Dabolim on Saturday, originating from overheated exhaust pipes connected to a diesel generator set. The incident occurred in a storeroom area, causing damage to some electrical items and appliances, but fortunately, there were no injuries reported.
Timely Response Prevents Escalation
The fire started just before 11:30 AM and was promptly brought under control by on-duty staff using fire hoses and extinguishers. According to officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the blaze was contained within the storeroom and did not spread to public areas.
"There was no flight hindrance, and fortunately the fire was not in the public area," an AAI official stated, emphasizing that the incident did not disrupt airport operations.
No Impact on Flight Schedules
Civilian flight operations at Dabolim Airport are typically paused every morning until 12:30 PM due to ongoing naval flying activities. This timing proved fortuitous, as the fire was extinguished before the first scheduled civilian flight could land.
"Within 10 minutes, they contained it and doused the fire. Even the smoke was extracted before the first flight could land," the official added, highlighting the efficiency of the response team.
Investigation into the Cause
AAI officials suspect that overheating of the exhaust pipes triggered the fire, which then ignited combustible materials stored nearby. They have ruled out a short circuit as a potential cause and are conducting a thorough inspection to determine the exact origin of the incident.
- The fire was limited to the storeroom area.
- No injuries were reported among staff or passengers.
- Flight operations remained unaffected throughout the event.
- An ongoing investigation aims to pinpoint the precise cause and prevent future occurrences.
This incident underscores the importance of regular maintenance and safety protocols at critical infrastructure like airports, ensuring minimal risk to public safety and operational continuity.
