Goa, Oct. 31 -- The State govern ment has ordered a sev en-day fact-finding inquiry into the devastating Octo ber 28 fire at Vasco's New Model Municipal Market, even as authorities scruti nise compensation claims, fast-track assistance to af fected traders and draw up plans to restore the dam aged market. The Department of Home (General), in an order issued on Friday, appointed Revenue Secretary Sandip Jacques toinvestigate the blaze and sub mit a comprehensive report within seven days. The inquiry will examine the authorities' prepared ness to handle fire emer gencies, the adequacy of firefighting equipment and infrastructure, and the ef fectiveness of emergency response mechanisms.

It will also reconstruct the se quence of events, esta...