Goemkarponn Desk
CANACONA – A man and a woman suffered burn injuries in a freak mishap while preparing Charcoal for the Incense-Burner during a Retreat at the Agonda Church on Sunday evening.
Due to the wetness outside, after a 15-minutes of rains Sunday evening, Fire was lighted into a steel-Vessel kept inside a small shed situated behind the Church to prepare Charcoal, suddenly went ablaze releasing a-ball-of-fire. A church-volunteer who is known to assist in various Church activities Francis Coutinho was inside the Shed to collect the Charcoal into a container assisted by Avelina Fernandes standing next at the door were suddenly engulfed in that fire-ball.
Both suffered severe burn injuries with Countinho having over 50% burn injuries to legs and torso, while Avelina who was wearing a silky dress suffered over 30% burn injuries to her hands, stomach and chest region.
According to sources, the church cook who was in the kitchen first heard the sounds for help and she immediately stepped out and ran towards the duo, who were still reeling in burns pains. She (cook) also provided an alternate dress to the woman burn victim who had her nylon dress burnt-down in the fire. The man had his clothes burnt causing severe burn injuries to his legs.
A Retreat event was underway inside the Church on Sunday evening was stopped and all the participants/devotees rushed out to assist the duo in whatever way possible,
Others in the vicinity were alerted, after which Remy Borges who amongst the locals immediately made calls for emergency services, requesting immediate help.
Incidentally, according to church sources, it is a regular practice to put fire into an old-Paan to prepare Charcoal needed for the Incense Burner during church services, whenever the priest needs to use the same in liturgical services in the church. As it rained suddenly late Sunday evening, Francis who is known to assist the church-attendees in various church activities, and was also part of the Retreat went-out to prepare the charcoal and took the Paan inside the Shed and put it on fire. Shortly, later, Avelina who is a village Charismatic group leader and was also a retreat participant came to assist Francis in collecting charcoal for the use in the Thurible during the Retreat prayers.
By the time, ambulance reached, Steve Rodrigues who on hearing the news immediately reached the church premises shifted Avelina in his Car to Community Health Centre, Chaudi, while Francis Coutinho was taken in one of the two ambulances that reached the Agonda church, a few minutes later.
Doctors at the CHC stating both have suffered serious burn injuries recommended and shifted both in two separate ambulances at CHC to Margao SGDH.
Several villagers including Agonda Sarpanch Preettal Fernandes and Ex-Sarpanch /Panch Fatima Rodrigues rushed to the CHC, and some of them accompanied the duo while being taken to Margao
