Vizag harbour fire was caused by cigarette butt, says police
text_fields
A careless act of discarding a cigarette butt triggered a major fire at Visakhapatnam's jetty, resulting in the destruction of over 30 fishing vessels, said the police on Saturday.
The incident took place on the night of November 19 when Vasupalli Nani, aged 23, was consuming alcohol with his uncle Allipilli Satyam on a boat stationed at the harbour.
"After consuming alcohol together, Nani thoughtlessly tossed a lit cigarette onto the nylon fishing net of a neighbouring boat," stated Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner A Ravi Shankar during a Press Conference.
The lit cigarette ignited the fishing net, and the fire rapidly spread to other boats docked nearby. Despite the escalating flames, Nani and his uncle fled the scene without addressing the situation and retired for the night.
Nani returned to the jetty and realised his contribution to the fire. He warned his uncle not to divulge the truth to anyone.
Following a thorough investigation spanning five days, the police registered a case against Nani under pertinent sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), altering the nature of the incident from an accidental fire.
Law enforcement officials relied on critical evidence, including surveillance footage capturing Nani leaving the jetty, where the fire originated, at 10:08 pm on November 19 through the dry dock gate. Additionally, a witness corroborated the distinct sound of the accused's scooter on the night of the incident, among other supporting details.
The fire resulted in the complete destruction of around 30 fishing boats, while 18 others suffered partial damage.
In response to the incident, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy pledged government compensation of up to 80% for the losses incurred by the affected fishermen due to the fire accident.