A devastating fire erupted in the early hours of Sunday, completely destroying ten fishing boats anchored in the scenic Ashtamudi Lake at Kureepuzha, near Kollam in Kerala. Fortunately, no loss of human life was reported in the incident.
Cylinder Blast Triggers Midnight Inferno
The blaze is reported to have started around 2:30 am, with locals and officials pointing to a gas cylinder explosion on one of the vessels as the likely cause. At the time, a total of 15 boats were anchored together in a single line. Quick-thinking first responders at the scene acted swiftly to prevent further devastation by untying the remaining five boats to stop the fire from spreading.
Swift Response Limits Damage, But Losses Are Heavy
Despite these efforts, the fire rapidly consumed nine traditional wooden boats and one fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) boat. Six fire tenders from the Fire and Rescue Services department rushed to the spot and, after a challenging operation, managed to bring the flames under control.
District Collector N Devidas, who visited the site, confirmed that the destroyed boats belonged to native fishermen from Pozhiyoor. The affected fishing community has already approached the state government and district administration, seeking urgent compensation for their significant losses.
Calls for Investigation and Safety Overhaul
The incident has prompted immediate official action and raised serious concerns about safety. Collector Devidas has ordered a formal inquiry into the fire. Echoing the need for a thorough probe, Member of Parliament N K Premachandran highlighted that this was not an isolated event, noting that two boats were also destroyed in a fire at Mukkad just a few days prior.
Premachandran emphasized that these recurring fires are causing substantial financial damage to the local fishing sector and must be addressed. He stressed that a comprehensive investigation is essential to confirm the cause and clear all doubts. Furthermore, he called for the implementation of stringent safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future and urged the government to take steps to adequately compensate those affected.
The back-to-back incidents have sent shockwaves through the fishing communities in Kollam, underscoring the vulnerability of their livelihoods and the pressing need for enhanced safety protocols on anchored fishing vessels.
