Probe ordered as fire destroys over ten fishing boats in Kerala's Ashtamudi Lake

Kollam: A major fire destroyed more than ten fishing boats anchored in Ashtamudi Lake at Kureepuzha early on Sunday, inflicting significant losses on the local fishing community. No injuries were reported. Residents suggested that the blaze might have started after a cooking gas cylinder exploded on one of the boats.

Six units of the Fire and Rescue Services from Kollam reached the spot and managed to contain the flames by about 7 a.m. Locals said they noticed the fire around 1:30 a.m., and that roughly 14 boats lined up at the site ended up catching fire.

In an attempt to reduce the damage, people in the area untied the burning boats and pushed them into the lake. Videos from the night showed several vessels drifting while engulfed in flames, TNIE reported.

Officials reported that nine wooden boats and one fibre boat were completely destroyed, while a few others are believed to have sunk. The fire department said the exact cause is still being investigated. Residents complained that the response was delayed due to inadequate road access, noting that this is the third similar incident there.

Kollam District Collector N. Devidas, who inspected the area, ordered a probe and noted that around ten boats—including one owned by a local resident, Lawrance, and others used by fishermen from Pozhiyoor—had been lost in the fire.