Visakhapatnam: At least 35 fibre-mechanised boats were gutted in a fire that broke out at the fishing harbour in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday, police said.
Firefighters were alerted by local residents, and they quickly arrived at the scene to extinguish the fire. However, as per the officials, the fire, which started with one boat, quickly spread to others in the vicinity. The fire broke out in an area near the Visakhapatnam Container Terminal and an Indian Oil Corporation facility where fishing boats were anchored.
Fire spread to nearly 35 fibre-mechanised boats
The cause of the fire, which erupted in the early hours and was extinguished by around 4 am, is still under investigation. Officials have mentioned that the fire originated in a boat located in the zero jetty area and rapidly spread from there.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Visakhapatnam, Anand Redd said the fire first broke out on a boat and then spread to nearly 35 fibre-mechanised boats at midnight. No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident, he said.
Eight explosions suspected
The police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident. "The fire broke out on a boat at Vishakhapatnam fishing harbour and then spread to nearly 35 fiber-mechanized boats at midnight. The police and fire teams responded immediately. The fire was successfully brought under control. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident. An FIR has been filed and an investigation is underway," said DCP Reddy.
Reddy further said the intervening night of Sunday and Monday was quite windy, causing the fire to spread quickly among the boats made of fibre (plastic) and anchored closely. "Many of these boats also carry up to 5,000 litres of diesel as the fishermen venture into the sea for weeks. Many boats were also laden with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders which the fisherfolk use for cooking," Reddy added.
There were as many as eight explosions which officials suspect to be that of LPG cylinders. Considering the critical location of the fire, Reddy said Vizag Steel Plant fire brigade and the Navy were also alerted, while controlling the fire without further spread proved to be a big task.
'Foul play suspected'
Local fishermen are expressing suspicion of foul play, contending that unidentified individuals might have deliberately set the boats on fire.
According to estimates, each boat is valued between Rs 35 lakh and Rs 50 lakh. Meanwhile, police booked a case of accidental fire.
(With agencies input)
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