Panaji: A fire broke out during the installation of a temporary stage and pandal at Kala Academy here as part of the scheduled Serendipity Art Festival, to be held from December 12–21, 2025.
A senior government spokesperson said that part of the pandal was burnt in the fire, which was immediately controlled jointly by the agency erecting the structure and the State Fire and Emergency Services department.
The fire occurred around 4 pm, and no casualties were reported.
He said the work has been kept on hold until inspection of the premises is carried out. The stage and the pandal were being set up at Kala Academy in Panaji.
There was a fire when waterproofing work was underway. Currently, we have asked for the production work to be kept on hold, the spokesperson said.
He added that on Tuesday, a revised inspection of the facility will be conducted, and only after the Fire and Emergency Services approve will permission be given to continue the work.
He further said that North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav has called a meeting to discuss the roof that was burnt in the blaze.
Director of Fire and Emergency Services Nitin Raikar, who visited the spot, said that fire safety precautions were not in place. Only when there is some incident then we are called, he said, refusing to comment further.
