Cottage caught fire at St. Mary's

Udupi, January 2: One historic cottage at St. Mary's Island caught fire and totally destroyed.  Because of this fire, one part of the island partially destroyed by fire.  On New Year's Day morning, thick smoke covered the skies of St. Mary's Island.  Mr. Sadananda of Rajarajeshwr Boats and his friends immediately visited the island and were able to put off the fire. 

Under the approval of Deputy Commissioner, by spending Rs. 40,000 cottages were built on the island.  One cottage got fire.  If there were nobody to put off the fire, all palm trees on the island would have caught fire said Mr. Sadananda who has special permission to arranging visitors to the island.  He said that he is the only one authorised to take visitors on boat.  On New Year's Day nobody on his boat visited the island.  Some boat owners from Malpe entering illegally and may be they discarded their beedi or cigarrette butts and that caused fire. 

I invested thousand of rupees for the development of St. Mary's Island, toilets for visitors, tiny cottages have been erected.  However some people enter this island illegally and spoil the beauty of this island said Mr. Sadananda.  For fresh water, one well have been built and some visitors are trashing their garbage in this well he complained.  In this regard, this island should be guarded he said.