Dramatic Fire Engulfs Beachside Cottages in Goa's Mandrem

A devastating fire broke out at a row of beachside cottages in Mandrem, Goa, on Tuesday evening. Eyewitness videos show thick plumes of smoke billowing from the affected structures as firefighters rushed to the scene to battle the blaze.

According to local authorities, the fire started around 7 pm and quickly spread through the tightly-packed cottages, which are popular with tourists visiting the picturesque coastal region. No casualties have been reported so far, but the extent of the damage to property is still being assessed.

Goa's fire department dispatched multiple fire engines to the site, and it took several hours to bring the fire under control. Onlookers captured dramatic footage of the flames engulfing the wooden and thatch-roofed cottages, which are situated just steps away from the Arabian Sea.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but officials suspect it may have been sparked by an electrical short-circuit or a cooking accident. Authorities have launched a probe to determine the exact origin and circumstances surrounding the incident.