Nearly 40 fiber-mechanized boats were reduced to ashes
after a massive fire broke out at the Visakhapatnam fishing harbour late night
on Sunday. Police said no casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.
As the multiple fire engines struggled to douse the
flames, an Indian Navy vessel helped in bringing the fire under control over.
Each of the boats cost nearly 15 lakh, putting the
estimated loss in the incident to ₹ 4 to 5 crores.
Vishakhapatnam police commissioner Ravi Shankar said
the fire started on a fishing boat late at night.
“The boat was cut off and sent adrift to ensure the
fire did not spread to the others. But winds and water flow brought it back to
the jetty. Soon, the other boats were burning too,” he said.
The senior police officer said diesel containers and
gas cylinders on the boats added fuel to the fire and the entire jetty area was
up in flames.
Fishermen suspect some criminals set the boats on
fire. There is also suspicion that the fire was triggered by a party in one of
the boats.
Shocking visuals from the harbour showed firefighters
trying to douse the flames as fishermen stared helplessly at the fire
destroying their means of livelihood.
Blasts in some of the boats, apparently caused by the
fire reaching fuel tanks, led to panic in the area.
Senior police officer Ananda Reddy said the fire broke
out around 11:30 pm.
“Cylinders on boats are causing blasts, so we are
asking people to stay away. Fire engines are working to control the fire,” he
said.
“The cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed. No
casualties have been were reported. A case has been filed and investigation is
underway,” he added.
Police Commissioner Ravi Shankar has said a
multidisciplinary probe will be conducted to get to the bottom of the incident.
NE Watch Desk With ANI Inputs
