Kollam: A massive fire destroyed over ten fishing boats anchored in the Ashtamudi Lake at Kureepuzha here in the early hours of Sunday. Initial reports suggest the blaze began following a cylinder blast on one of the boats. Authorities confirmed that no casualties have been reported.

Six units of the Fire and Rescue Services rushed to the spot and brought the flames under control by 7 am.

Residents first spotted the fire around 1.30 am. According to the natives, around 14 boats anchored in a single line caught fire. To prevent the blaze from spreading further, people untied the burning boats and pushed them into the lake. Visuals aired by news channels showed several boats engulfed in flames while drifting on the water. Nine traditional boats and one fibre boat were completely destroyed, while a few others reportedly sank.

Kollam District Collector N Devidas has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

“About ten boats including one owned by a native named Lawrance were destroyed. Other boats belonged to fishers from Pozhiyoor in Thiruvananthapuram, who had anchored them here while taking a break from fishing ahead of the polls,” he told media while visiting the spot.

Fire Force officials said the exact cause of the blaze is yet to be confirmed. However, natives maintained that the fire started after a cooking gas cylinder exploded.

Residents also alleged that poor road connectivity delayed the arrival of fire force units. They noted that this is the third fire accident in the area. 

Fishermen have demanded compensation from the government, stating that the mishap has severely impacted the livelihoods of several families.