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Visakhapatnam: A massive blaze engulfs at Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam fishing harbour and gutted nearly 40 fishing boats on Sunday midnight. DCP Anand Reddy said the fire that started with the first boat eventually spread to 40 mechanised boats anchored nearby.
No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident, he said. The estimated loss in the shocking incident is ₹ 30 crore. Fishermen suspect some criminals set the boats on fire. There is also suspicion that the fire was triggered by a party in a boat. Several fire engines reached the spot to control the fire. Police have registered a case and are investigating the matter.
Firefighters were alerted by local residents, and they promptly rushed at the scene to extinguish the fire. However, as per the officials, the fire, which started with one boat, quickly spread to others in the vicinity.
In a horrifying visuals from the harbour showed firefighters trying to douse the flames as fishermen stared helplessly at the fire destroying their means of livelihood.
At least 25 fishing boats were reduced to ashes in a major fire, #Visakhapatnam #Vizag #fishing harbour #AndhraPradesh. @APPOLICE100 @vizagcitypolice #fire dept takes support of @vptIndia @PRO_Vizag . Only property damage reported so far. #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/43hDWzBn7d
— Journo Kamal V (B+) (@JournoKamal) November 19, 2023
Massive fire in #Visakhapatnam fishing harbour
The fire started with one boat and eventually burned 40 boats to ashes
Firefighters are currently working to extinguish the fire at the location#vizagfire pic.twitter.com/p92bWMlDm8
— Sudhakar Udumula (@sudhakarudumula) November 20, 2023
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 fatalities have been were registered. A case has been filed and investigation is underway,” he added.
